LOS ANGELES: Loni Anderson, the beloved actress best known for her role as Jennifer Marlowe on the classic sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, has died at the age of 79.
Anderson passed away at a Los Angeles hospital at noon PT on Sunday, August 3, following “an acute prolonged illness,” her representative Cheryl J. Kagan confirmed to USA TODAY. She was surrounded by her family.
In a heartfelt statement, her loved ones said:
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother, and grandmother.”
Anderson became a household name in the late 1970s for her role as the smart and stylish receptionist at a quirky AM radio station in Ohio. Her performance on CBS’s WKRP in Cincinnati earned her two Primetime Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nods during the show’s four-season run from 1978 to 1982.
Born on August 5, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Anderson was the daughter of environmental chemist Klaydon Carl Anderson and model Maxine Hazel. She began her career on the beauty pageant circuit, where she was named Miss Thermo-Jac Clothing, Miss County Style Ford, Queen of the Hole-In-One, and was a runner-up in the Miss Minnesota competition.
Beyond her iconic role on WKRP, Anderson enjoyed a lengthy career in film and television and was widely admired for her comedic timing, screen presence, and advocacy for lung disease awareness and women’s health.
