Loni Anderson, who played smart against stereotype on ‘WKRP in Cincinnati,’ dead at 79

Loni Anderson, the celebrated actress widely recognized for her smart and stereotype-defying portrayal of receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the hit sitcom 'WKRP in Cincinnati,' has passed away at the age of 79. Her family confirmed she died on Sunday, August 3, at a Los Angeles hospital, following an acute prolonged illness, just days shy of her 80th birthday.

Anderson's role as Jennifer Marlowe, which she graced for 90 episodes from 1978 to 1982, was a significant turning point in her career. She ingeniously convinced the show's producers to cast her character not as a ditzy blonde, but as the shrewd, glamorous, and truly intelligent force keeping the chaotic fictional Ohio radio station afloat, often outsmarting her male counterparts. This acclaimed performance earned her two prime-time Emmy nominations.

Beyond her iconic TV character, Anderson's personal life often made headlines, particularly her highly publicized marriage to actor Burt Reynolds in 1988. Their storybook union, which began after meeting on a television talk show in 1981 and co-starring in the 1983 film 'Stroker Ace,' captivated the tabloids until their divorce six years later.

Born a natural brunette in St. Paul, Minnesota, Anderson's journey into entertainment began with local beauty pageants and community theater. She transformed her look to platinum blonde upon moving to Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, which swiftly led to a string of television appearances. Her early credits include guest roles on popular series like 'The Bob Newhart Show,' 'Police Story,' 'The Incredible Hulk,' 'The Love Boat,' and an audition for 'Three’s Company.'

Her career spanned four decades, encompassing six television series, seven feature films, and nineteen television movies, where she even took on the challenging roles of real-life Hollywood figures Jayne Mansfield and Thelma Todd. Anderson chronicled her extensive career in her best-selling autobiography, 'My Life in High Heels.'

Loni Anderson is survived by her adopted son, Quinton Anderson Reynolds, and her fourth husband, Bob Flick, a respected member of the folk-singing group The Brothers Four.