TV icon and beloved actress Loni Anderson, known best for her role in the classic sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, has passed away just two days before her 80th birthday. Her family and longtime publicist confirmed the heartbreaking news.
Anderson died on Sunday, August 3, 2025, in Los Angeles after a long battle with illness. In a heartfelt statement, her family said, “We are deeply saddened to share the loss of our cherished wife, mother, and grandmother.”
Her publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, confirmed that Anderson passed away in a Los Angeles hospital due to complications from a prolonged illness.
Following the news, fellow actress and friend Morgan Fairchild shared an emotional tribute on X, reminiscing about their time working together on Bob Hope specials and a Christmas film just two years ago. Fairchild praised Anderson’s grace and warmth and extended condolences to her husband Bob Flick, her children, and grandchildren.
Born on August 5, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Anderson’s long career included roles in Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas, Love You More, Stroker Ace, Baby Daddy, All Dogs Go to Heaven, and A Night at the Roxbury, among others.
Her most iconic role came as Jennifer Marlowe, the intelligent and glamorous receptionist on WKRP in Cincinnati, which ran from 1978 to 1982. That portrayal earned her multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and challenged the way blonde women were typically portrayed on television.
In a 2021 interview, Anderson reflected on her transformation into a blonde bombshell and how it unexpectedly helped her career. Initially a brunette, she recalled how lighting technicians encouraged her to go lighter — a change that ultimately landed her more roles.
When she took the WKRP role, she wasn’t yet fully blonde. Creator Hugh Wilson recommended a look inspired by Lana Turner — but with brains. “In 1978, the idea of a glamorous woman being the smartest person in the room was unheard of,” she said. Anderson became a trailblazer, influencing how women were portrayed on screen.
Though known as a sex symbol, Anderson said she never ran from it. “I embraced it. It became part of my journey,” she shared. Even in her later years, her love for acting never dimmed. “Actors don’t retire — we just keep going,” she said.
Off-camera, Anderson’s personal life often made headlines. She was married four times. Her first marriage to Bruce Hasselberg in the 1960s produced a daughter, Deidra. She later married actors Ross Bickell and Burt Reynolds, with whom she had a son, Quinton. In 2008, she wed Bob Flick.
Her tumultuous relationship with Reynolds was widely publicized. In his 2015 memoir, Reynolds called the marriage a mistake and shared anecdotes about their extravagant lifestyle. Despite everything, they remained committed co-parents to their son.
Anderson is survived by Flick, her two children, grandchildren McKenzie and Megan, and several step-grandchildren. A private memorial is planned at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Her passing comes just two months after the death of fellow TV legend Loretta Swit, best known as Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan from MASH*. Swit died in New York City at 87 due to natural causes.
Swit’s career, much like Anderson’s, redefined female roles on television. She played Houlihan for the entire 11-season run of MASH*, transforming the character from a one-dimensional figure to a deeply human and complex woman. Her portrayal earned her ten Emmy nominations and two wins.
In tributes, co-stars Alan Alda and Mike Farrell remembered her as talented, genuine, and family to them both. She had strong bonds with her MASH* co-stars, who remembered her not just as a colleague, but a lifelong friend.
Swit also had a rich career in stage and television, from Broadway roles to advocacy work for animal rights. Her death, like Anderson’s, closes a powerful chapter in television history — both women leaving behind legacies that reshaped how female characters were written and received.