Loni Anderson, ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ Star, Dies at 79
Loni Anderson, the glamorous and sharp-witted actress who became a household name as Jennifer Marlowe, the savvy receptionist on the hit sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, has died. She was 79.
Anderson passed away Sunday at noon in Los Angeles from “an acute prolonged illness,” her publicist Cheryl J. Kagan confirmed.
A two-time Emmy nominee, Anderson rose to fame in the late 1970s for her comedic charm and screen presence. Off-screen, her highly publicized marriage to Burt Reynolds — followed by a contentious divorce — kept her in the headlines for years.
The Minnesota native also made her mark portraying doomed Hollywood starlets. She played screen siren Jayne Mansfield in the 1980 television movie The Jayne Mansfield Story, opposite a young Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mickey Hargitay. In 1991, she took on the role of Thelma Todd in White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd.
Loni Anderson, Glamorous Star of ‘WKRP in Cincinnati,’ Dies at 79
Loni Anderson, the dazzling blonde beauty whose portrayal of the savvy, self-assured receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the hit sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati made her one of television’s most beloved figures, has died. She was 79.
Her death, confirmed by publicist Cheryl J. Kagan, occurred Sunday at noon in Los Angeles following “an acute prolonged illness.”
Anderson’s role on WKRP earned her two Emmy nominations and cemented her as a symbol of wit, charm, and understated comedic brilliance. While her character was known for her glamour, Anderson infused Jennifer Marlowe with intelligence and grace, shattering the stereotype of the “dumb blonde” in sitcoms.
Off-screen, Anderson’s personal life often played out under intense public scrutiny. Her fairy-tale marriage to Hollywood icon Burt Reynolds — and their bitter, headline-grabbing divorce — kept her in the tabloids for much of the 1980s and 1990s.
Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Anderson’s career extended beyond her sitcom fame. She was acclaimed for her portrayals of tragic Hollywood starlets, most notably playing Jayne Mansfield in the 1980 television movie The Jayne Mansfield Story, opposite a then up-and-coming Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mickey Hargitay. In 1991, she portrayed actress Thelma Todd in White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd, capturing the allure and tragedy of the 1930s screen siren.
Throughout her decades-long career, Anderson remained a glamorous, gracious figure in Hollywood — admired not only for her beauty but also for her resilience, comedic timing, and enduring appeal.
Share this content: