Loni Anderson dead: Burt Reynolds' ex-wife and WKRP in Cincinnati star dies at 79

Loni Anderson, who portrayed a struggling radio station's empowered receptionist on the beloved TV comedy WKRP in Cincinnati, has died days before her 80th birthday. Anderson died at a Los Angeles hospital following a "prolonged" illness, confirmed her long-time publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan.

"We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother," Anderson's family said in a statement. Anderson, a major fixture on CBS, was previously wed to actor Burt Reynolds.

Anderson shot to stardom portraying Jennifer on WKRP in Cincinnati, a CBS sitcom that ran from 1978 to 1982. Based around an Ohio radio station making the switch from easy listening to rock 'n' roll, the programme became a sensation partly due to Anderson's unforgettable performance.

READ MORE: Oasis pay tribute to fan who died after tragic fall from top tier at Wembley Stadium

READ MORE: Inside Mel B's 'spiritual' Moroccan wedding with non traditional dress

The ensemble included Gary Sandy, Howard Hesseman, Tim Reid, Frank Bonner, and Jan Smithers, reports the Mirror US. Anderson's contribution to the series gained her two Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nominations, establishing her as a pop culture legend of the late 1970s and early '80s.

Among those paying tribute to the star was fellow actress Barbara Eden. The I Dream of Jeannie star shared an emotional post on Twitter/X, saying: "Like many, I am absolutely stunned and heartbroken. Our friendship has spanned many years, and news like this is never easy to hear or accept."

She went on: "She was a real talent, with razor smart wit and a glowing sense of humor… but, even more than that, she had an impeccable work ethic. Even beyond that, Loni was a darling lady and a genuinely good person … I am truly at a loss for words."

And she ended, saying: "Loni, you were one in a trillion, my friend, and even a trillion more. -Barbara."

Anderson's co-star Morgan Fairchild, who starred alongside her in the 2023 Lifetime film, Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas, said: "#OnMyWalk to memories of lovely Loni Anderson, one of the genuinely nicest ladies I’ve ever worked with, on set of our Christmas movie with Donna Mills. We had so much fun on this! She will be greatly missed!"

Away from the cameras, Anderson became a tabloid favourite following her marriage to Burt Reynolds in 1988. The pair appeared together in the 1983 racing comedy Stroker Ace, but it was their real-life romance, and subsequent divorce in 1994, that maintained her presence in the media spotlight.

In 1995, she released her autobiography, My Life in High Heels, which she described as a tale of tenacity. "It's about the growth of a woman, a woman who survives," she shared with The Associated Press at that time.

"It's about my childhood, the death of my parents, my career, my divorces, and my children. Then of course, the trauma of my marriage to Burt."

She went on to say, "I think if you're going to write about yourself, you have to do it warts and all. You may not even tell the nicest things about yourself, because you're telling the truth."

Anderson's legacy is carried on by her husband Bob Flick, daughter Deidra, son-in-law Charlie Hoffman, son Quinton Anderson Reynolds, and grandchildren McKenzie and Megan Hoffman.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Threads.