‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ star Loni Anderson dead at 79
Emmy-nominated actor Loni Anderson, best known for WKRP in Cincinnati, has died aged 79.
Anderson, who was due to celebrate her 80th birthday on August 5th, died on August 3rd in a Los Angeles hospital. Her publicist, Cheryl J Kagan confirmed her death was due to “an acute prolonged illness.”
In a statement, Anderson’s family said: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother.”
Anderson’s big break came with WKRP in Cincinnati, which was set in a fictional failing radio station in Cincinnati, which ran for four seasons between 1978 and 1982. For her performance as Jennifer Marlowe, Anderson was nominated for two Emmys and three Golden Globes.
Following the success of the sitcom, Hollywood came calling for Anderson who starred alongside Burt Reynolds in Stroker Ace. The film also led to the pair embarking on a relationship, marrying in 1988 before divorcing six years later in 1994.
Other notable roles throughout the 1980s include playing herself in the Steve Martin comedy, The Lonely Guy, the television series Partners in Crime with Lynda Carter and Easy Street.
In 1995, Anderson documented her life in the memoir, My Life in High Heels, which she said told the story of “the growth of a woman, a woman who survives. It’s about my childhood, the death of my parents, my career, my divorces, and my children. Then of course, the trauma of my marriage to Burt.”
In 2020, Anderson revealed during an interview with Studio 10 that she initially refused her career-defining role in WKRP in Cincinnati due to the character being two-dimensional, which caused writers to adapt Jennifer to make her the smartest person at the station.
She explained: “I went in and sat on my little soapbox and said, ‘I don’t want to play this part because she’s just here to deliver messages and is window dressing.’ Then Hugh said, ‘Well, how would you do it?’ … He said, ‘Let’s make her look like Lana Turner and be the smartest person in the room’.”
Anderson is survived by her husband Bob Flick, daughter Deidra, son Quinton Anderson Reynolds, stepson Adam Flick, as well as many grandchildren.
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