00:00Lonnie Anderson, beloved WKRP in Cincinnati, star, dies just days before turning 80.
00:07Los Angeles, AP.
00:09Lonnie Anderson, the glamorous and smart actress best remembered for her iconic portrayal of Jennifer Marlowe on the CBS sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati,
00:19passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025, just shy of her 80th birthday.
00:25She died at a Los Angeles hospital following a prolonged illness, according to her longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan.
00:34Anderson's family released a heartfelt statement.
00:37We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother, and grandmother.
00:42Anderson rose to stardom in the late 1970s as Jennifer Marlowe, the stylish and capable receptionist at a struggling Ohio radio station in the beloved sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati,
00:54which aired from 1978 to 1982.
00:58Her character blended sex appeal and wit, often deflecting unwanted proposals and keeping the station afloat amid chaos.
01:07The role earned her two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations.
01:12Her chemistry and presence made Jennifer one of television's most memorable characters,
01:18helping the show build a cult following despite middling Nielsen ratings.
01:21After WKRP, Anderson appeared in dozens of television shows and films.
01:28She starred alongside Burt Reynolds in the 1983 racing comedy Stroker Race,
01:32where their off-screen romance began and later adopted their son Quentin.
01:37In 1995, she published her candid memoir My Life in High Heels,
01:42revealing personal struggles, including a turbulent and acrimonious marriage to Reynolds marked by abuse claims and financial disputes.
01:51Despite personal hardships, Anderson continued performing into the 2000s and 2010s.
01:58Notably, she co-starred in Lifetime's 2023 holiday film Ladies of the 80s,
02:03A Diva's Christmas, joining fellow television icons Linda Gray, Morgan Fairchild, Donna Mills, and Nicolette Sheridan.
02:11Personal Life and Legacy
02:13Born on August 5, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Lonnie K. Anderson was the daughter of an environmental chemist and a model.
02:23She entered show business in the mid-1960s with early roles in Nevada Smith, SWAT, Policewoman, and Three's Company before landing her breakout role on WKRP.
02:35Over her lifetime, she married four times.
02:39Her final marriage was to musician Bob Flick, founding member of the Brothers Four, in 2008.
02:45She leaves behind daughter Deidre, son Quentin Anderson Reynolds, grandchildren Mackenzie and Megan Hoffman,
02:51stepson Adam Flick, daughter-in-law Helene, and step-grandchildren Felix and Maximilian, in addition to her husband Bob Flick.
02:59A private funeral service is scheduled at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.
03:05Lonnie Anderson's legacy is defined by her talent, resilience, and unapologetic glamour.
03:11Jennifer Marlowe may have been a role that captured hearts, but Anderson's authenticity, on and off screen, left an indelible mark on television history.
03:20She embraced every chapter of her life, literally writing about it in my life in high heels, where she stated,
03:27If you're going to write about yourself, you have to do it warts and all.
03:31You may not even tell the nicest things about yourself, because you're telling the truth.
03:36As fans and colleagues mourn her loss, her career remains a vibrant testament to an era when television awaited a sharp, witty receptionist, who turned into a legend.
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