Credited from: NEWSWEEK
Loni Anderson, renowned for her role as the smart and glamorous receptionist Jennifer Marlowe in the hit TV comedy WKRP in Cincinnati, has died at the age of 79 following a prolonged illness. Anderson passed away on Sunday at a Los Angeles hospital, just days before her 80th birthday, with her family expressing their heartbreak in a statement: "We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother," according to latimes, sfgate, and huffpost.
Anderson starred in WKRP in Cincinnati, which aired from 1978 to 1982, portraying a character who defied the traditional stereotype of a glamorous woman. Instead of playing a shallow role, Marlowe was depicted as intelligent and efficient, often keeping the radio station afloat amidst male incompetence. Her performance earned her two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations, according to npr, cbsnews, and reuters.
Anderson's personal life drew significant media attention, particularly her marriage to actor Burt Reynolds. They first met while filming the 1983 movie Stroker Ace, married in 1988, and divorced in 1994. She later reflected on the challenges of their relationship in her 1995 autobiography, My Life in High Heels, which she described as detailing "the growth of a woman, a woman who survives," according to newsweek and channelnewsasia.
Anderson is survived by her husband Bob Flick, daughter Deidra, son Quinton Anderson Reynolds, and several grandchildren. A private family service is planned for the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, according to her publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, as reported by scmp and huffpost.