‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ Actress Loni Anderson Dies Days Before Her Birthday

The beloved “WKRP in Cincinnati” star, whose blonde beauty, sharp wit, and groundbreaking role made her an icon of the late ’70s and ’80s, has died at 79.

Just two days shy of her 80th birthday, actress Loni Anderson died on Sunday, August 3, 2025, in Los Angeles, her loved ones and publicist confirmed.

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother,” Anderson’s family shared in a statement. Her publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, confirmed that the actress died in a Los Angeles hospital after a “prolonged” illness.

Following the news of her death, actress Morgan Fairchild expressed her devastation on X, recalling her fond memories of working with Anderson on Bob Hope’s televised specials and a Christmas movie just two years ago.

Fairchild described Anderson as gracious and kind, and extended her condolences to Anderson’s husband, Bob Flick, as well as her children and grandchildren, whom she deeply adored.

Born on August 5, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Anderson became a television icon through her portrayal of Jennifer Marlowe on “WKRP in Cincinnati,” which aired from 1978 to 1982.

Her performance as the glamorous yet sharp-witted receptionist earned her two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations, redefining how women — especially blondes — were represented on TV.

In a 2021 interview with Fox News, Anderson reflected on her evolution as an actress and how she became known for her iconic blonde look.

She shared that she was originally a brunette but began experimenting with lighter hair after cameramen told her that her darker hair absorbed too much light. “And the lighter my hair got, the more work I got. Weird, right?” she said with a laugh.

When the “WKRP” pilot came along, Anderson explained that she was not yet fully blonde. According to her, series creator Hugh Wilson suggested they give her a Lana Turner-inspired look while making her “the smartest person in the room.”

The actress stated further, “I have to tell you that in ’78 that was unheard of. Girls now would say, ‘We can be glamorous and smart.’ But not in ’78. Those things just didn’t go together back then. Especially as a blonde.”

Anderson was determined to challenge the blonde stereotype. Initially, she hesitated to take the role, believing the character would be little more than decoration. However, Wilson and producer Grant Tinker reassured her that the part would have far more depth than she expected.

“I felt so instrumental that they listened to the concept of this glamorous person who could also be the smartest person,” she said. “And you know what? It was wonderful. I had a huge female following because of that. And that has always been one of my most treasured memories, knowing that it did have an effect on women.”

While she became known as a sex symbol, she chose not to resist it. “I never thought I would be Loni Anderson, sex symbol,” she admitted. “But I embrace it. I think I was lucky enough to have been able to play so many different things and sex symbol was a part of it. I took whatever my career threw at me.”

Even in her later years, Anderson’s passion for acting never wavered. “Actors never retire because we love it so much,” she said. “Comedy is my favorite. I’m always looking to do something different and comedy attracts me the most. I want to do something that challenges me.”

Off-screen, Anderson’s personal life drew significant attention. She was married four times. Her first marriage, to Bruce Donald Hasselberg in 1964, resulted in the birth of her daughter, Deidra, before their divorce in 1966.

She later married actor Ross Bickell in 1974, but the couple divorced in 1981. In 1988, she married actor Burt Reynolds, and they welcomed a son, Quinton, before their tumultuous marriage ended in a highly publicized divorce in 1994. In 2008, Anderson married Flick.

Her relationship with Reynolds was one of Hollywood’s most talked-about romances of the 1980s. In 2015, he reflected on their marriage, calling it a mistake and saying, “I should have known that you don’t marry an actress. That was a really dumb move on my part.”

In his memoir, “But Enough About Me,” he reportedly detailed their extravagant lifestyle, recalling that he once gave her a platinum American Express card with a $45,000 limit — and she maxed it out within half an hour. Despite their differences, they maintained a shared love for their son.

Anderson is survived by Flick, Quinton, Deidra and son-in-law Charlie Hoffman, grandchildren McKenzie and Megan Hoffman, stepson Adam Flick and his wife Helene, and step-grandchildren Felix and Maximilian. A private service will take place at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, according to Kagan.

Her death came just over two months after the passing of another beloved television star, Loretta Swit. She was best remembered for her portrayal of Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan, on the CBS sitcom “M*A*S*H,” passed away at 87.

Swit passed away just after midnight on Friday, May 30, at her home in New York City. A police report indicated that natural causes were the suspected reason for her passing. Her longtime publicist, Harlan Boll, confirmed the news.

Swit’s groundbreaking role as Maj. Houlihan spanned all eleven seasons of “M*A*S*H,” from 1972 to 1983, making her a household name across the United States and beyond. She inherited the role from Sally Kellerman, who played the character in the 1970 feature film.

Known initially as a comic stereotype, “Hot Lips” evolved into one of the show’s most grounded and dimensional characters. This shift was largely credited to Swit’s performance and input on set.

Her portrayal of Houlihan became a defining role in the history of television, earning critical acclaim for challenging gender stereotypes in media during the 1970s and ’80s.

In a tribute posted to X on May 31, Alan Alda remembered Swit as a supremely talented actor who earned her ten Emmy nominations and two wins. He wrote that she didn’t just act the part but created it, working hard to transform the character from a one-note joke into a real person with ambition and depth.

He described how they celebrated the day the script stopped referring to her as “Hot Lips” and instead used her character’s name, Margaret. “Loretta made the most of her time here,” his post concluded.

Fellow co-star Mike Farrell, who portrayed Capt. B. J. Hunnicutt also paid tribute with a simple Instagram post on May 30. He shared a throwback black-and-white photo of Swit with the caption, “Loretta… 1937–2025.”

In an earlier interview, Swit had described Farrell as a sincere and honest friend, someone she could count on for the fairest advice and whose opinions always came from a place of truth.

She added that he was married to her best friend and remained a constant presence in her life. “Mike is just a very, very special human being,” she said.

Swit also spoke about her close bond with Alda, referring to their shared humor and long friendship. She recalled babysitting his daughters and eating dinner with his family. The actress described her connection to them as something like family.

She spoke warmly of the joy of spending time with people so deeply in love, noting Alda’s long marriage to his wife, Arlene. “Again, I keep referring to us as a family. We really are,” she stated.

Before “MASH,” Swit trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and worked in repertory theater. Her early stage credits include understudying for “Any Wednesday” in 1965, followed by touring roles as one of the Pigeon sisters in “The Odd Couple” and as Agnes Gooch in “Mame.”

In a 1979 interview, she described those years as formative, remembering how she once stood in an unemployment line and proudly identified herself as an actress. After small but notable roles in series like “Gunsmoke,” “Mission: Impossible,” “Mannix,” and “Hawaii Five-O,” she landed her star-making part as Maj in 1972.

The veteran actress later credited her determination and stamina on set, noting how she would push through long days, even when sick, without complaint. Swit received Emmy nominations every year “M*A*S*H” aired, except for its first season.

She won twice: in 1980 and 1982, both times in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series. She continued to appear in television and films after the show ended, including roles in “S.O.B.,” “Beer,” “Whoops Apocalypse,” and “Forest Warrior.”

She also starred in several TV movies, including “The Execution,” “Miracle at Moreaux,” and “Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story.” Her stage work remained steady as well. She made her Broadway debut in 1975 in “Same Time, Next Year,” opposite Ted Bessell.

Outside her acting career, Swit was also widely recognized for her dedication to animal advocacy, a cause she remained committed to for decades.

Swit’s passing marks the end of a distinct chapter in television history. Her decades-long contributions to stage, screen, and animal advocacy remain a lasting part of her legacy.