Loni Anderson’s Cause of Death Officially Revealed

Loni Anderson, the beloved actress best known for her role as Jennifer Marlowe on the classic TV sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, has passed away at the age of 79.

Her publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, confirmed that Anderson died in Los Angeles on August 3 after a long illness, just two days shy of her 80th birthday. She was surrounded by close family when she passed.

Her family shared a statement saying, “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother.” They did not reveal additional details about her health at the time.

Now, TMZ reports that the cause of Anderson’s death has been officially confirmed. According to her death certificate obtained by the outlet, she died from metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that often begins in the uterus and can spread to other parts of the body.

Throughout her life, Anderson was also known for her advocacy work. She frequently spoke publicly about COPD, a lung disease, and worked to raise awareness and support for others affected. She was deeply committed to caring for her chronically ill parents as well.

Born in Minnesota, Anderson pursued acting from a young age and built a long and successful career. She became a household name in the late 1970s with her breakout role on WKRP in Cincinnati.

As Jennifer Marlowe, the glamorous and smart receptionist, she won the hearts of viewers from 1978 to 1982. She starred alongside Gary Sandy, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman, Frank Bonner, and Jan Smithers, leaving a lasting impression with her charm and wit.

Anderson’s career extended well beyond WKRP. She played Jayne Mansfield in the TV movie The Jayne Mansfield Story (1980), acting opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger, and portrayed Thelma Todd in White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd (1991).

During the late 1980s, she appeared in television remakes including Leave Her to Heaven, Sorry, Wrong Number, and Three Coins in the Fountain. She also guest-starred in popular shows like S.W.A.T., Police Woman, Phyllis, and Barnaby Jones, proving herself to be a versatile and talented performer.

In 2023, 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 took to X to express her grief, 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.”

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