Loni Anderson: Remembering a Resilient Career and an Iconic Role

Loni Kaye Anderson, an American actress widely recognized for her iconic television roles, passed away on August 3, 2025, just two days shy of her 80th birthday. She was best known for her portrayal of the glamorous receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the hit CBS sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati from 1978 to 1982. For this signature role, Anderson received significant recognition, with nominations for three Golden Globe Awards and two Emmy Awards.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on August 5, 1945, Loni Anderson was the daughter of Klaydon and Maxine Anderson. Growing up in the suburb of Roseville, she was a popular student and was voted Queen of the Valentine's Day Winter Formal in 1963. In her autobiography, My Life in High Heels, Anderson revealed that her father had originally planned to name her Leilani, but changed his mind to Loni to avoid teasing in her teenage years.

Anderson's acting career began with a small part in the 1966 film Nevada Smith alongside Steve McQueen. However, she spent nearly a decade struggling to find consistent acting work. Her career began to gain momentum in the mid-1970s with a series of guest appearances on television shows like S.W.A.T., Phyllis, and Police Woman. She also auditioned for a role on the sitcom Three's Company and, while she did not get the part, her guest appearance on the show in 1978 brought her to the attention of network executives.

The Success of WKRP in Cincinnati

Anderson’s career-defining moment came with her casting as Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP in Cincinnati. Show creator Hugh Wilson was reportedly drawn to her after seeing a poster of her in a red swimsuit, which had a similar appeal to Farrah Fawcett's famous pin-up. Wilson noted that Anderson won the role not just for her bombshell looks—which he compared to Jayne Mansfield’s—but for her unique combination of glamour and what he called "innocent sexuality."

Although WKRP in Cincinnati never dominated the Nielsen ratings, it developed a devoted following among young adults and a strong fan base within the radio industry. As her popularity grew, Anderson renegotiated her contract, famously walking out during the 1980 summer hiatus to demand a substantial pay raise. During this time, she starred in the television film The Jayne Mansfield Story. The network ultimately agreed to her terms, and she returned to the series, remaining with the cast until its cancellation in 1982.

A Diverse Career and High-Profile Personal Life

After WKRP in Cincinnati, Anderson's career included a mix of film and television roles. She starred alongside her husband, actor Burt Reynolds, in the 1983 comedy film Stroker Ace, which was met with poor critical and commercial reception. She provided the voice for the character Flo in the animated movie All Dogs Go to Heaven.

She worked steadily in television throughout the mid-to-late 1980s, taking on roles such as a co-starring part with Lynda Carter in Partners in Crime and the leading role in her comedy series, Easy Street. She also appeared in several television adaptations of classic films, such as A Letter to Three Wives. In the 1990s, Anderson was considered for roles on popular sitcoms like Evening Shade and Designing Women but was not cast due to various network and salary disputes. She did, however, return to her most famous role for two episodes of the sequel series, The New WKRP in Cincinnati. In 1993, she joined the cast of the sitcom Nurses in an attempt to boost ratings, but the show was canceled soon after her arrival.

Anderson's personal life was also a frequent subject of public attention, particularly her high-profile marriage to Burt Reynolds from 1988 to 1994. She was married four times in total, with her final marriage to musician Bob Flick beginning in 2008. Anderson was a mother of two children: a daughter from her first marriage and a son, whom she adopted with Reynolds.

In addition to her acting work, Anderson was an active spokesperson for COPD Together, a support organization for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She chose this cause after witnessing the effects of the disease on her parents, both of whom were smokers. Anderson continued to appear in television and film during the 21st century, even while taking on fewer roles. For example, she had a recurring part in the web series My Sister is So Gay. Gay_ and a part in the 2023 Lifetime movie, Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas. Following a long illness, Anderson passed away in a Los Angeles hospital. Her lasting legacy is her iconic role and a career known for its remarkable resilience.