Loni Anderson Dies at 79, Cause of Death Revealed

Loni Anderson, the beloved actress who played Jennifer Marlowe on the hit TV show WKRP in Cincinnati, has died at the age of 79. Her publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, confirmed that she passed away in Los Angeles on August 3 after a long illness. Anderson was just two days away from her 80th birthday. She was surrounded by her closest family members when she died.

Her family shared the sad news in a statement. “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother,” they said. They chose not to share more about her exact health condition.

Anderson’s passing has reminded fans of how much she cared about raising awareness for COPD, a disease that affects the lungs. She often spoke about it publicly and worked to help others. She was also known for taking care of her parents, who were both chronically ill.

Born in Minnesota, Anderson dreamed of acting from a young age and went on to have a long, successful career. She became a household name in the late 1970s when she landed her big break on WKRP in Cincinnati. Her role as Jennifer Marlowe, the smart and glamorous receptionist, ran from 1978 to 1982 and became one of the most memorable characters on television. Fans loved her for her charm, beauty, and wit. She starred alongside Gary Sandy, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman, Frank Bonner, and Jan Smithers.

Beyond WKRP, Anderson had many other memorable roles. She played Jayne Mansfield in the TV movie The Jayne Mansfield Story in 1980, acting opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. She also portrayed Thelma Todd in White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd in 1991. During the late 1980s, she appeared in several television remakes such as Leave Her to Heaven, Sorry, Wrong Number, and Three Coins in the Fountain. She also guest-starred on shows like S.W.A.T., Police Woman, Phyllis, and Barnaby Jones.

Even though she was often cast for her looks, Anderson proved herself to be a talented and versatile actress. Her work left a mark on TV history, and her role in WKRP in Cincinnati still has a loyal fan following decades later.

In 2023, Loni Anderson appeared in the Lifetime movie Ladies of the 80s: A Divas Christmas, sharing the screen with Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Morgan Fairchild, and Nicollette Sheridan.

Morgan Fairchild expressed her sadness on X, writing, “I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of the wonderful Loni Anderson! The sweetest, most gracious lady! I’m just devastated to hear this.”

Anderson is survived by her husband Bob Flick, her daughter Deidra and son‑in‑law Charlie Hoffman, her son Quinton Anderson Reynolds, and her grandchildren McKenzie and Megan Hoffman. She is also survived by her stepson Adam Flick and his wife Helene, along with step‑grandchildren Felix and Maximilian.

According to her publicist Cheryl J. Kagan, a private family service will be held at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Loni Anderson’s death has left a big hole in the hearts of her fans, friends, and family. Her warm smile, iconic roles, and dedication to causes she cared about will be remembered for years to come.

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