Loni Anderson Dies at 79: WKRP Icon Passes Away After Prolonged Illness

As confirmed by The Guardian, Loni Anderson, best known for her iconic role as Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP in Cincinnati, has died at the age of 79, just days before what would have been her 80th birthday Reddit+15The Guardian+15The Times of India+15.

🕯️ Confirmed: Death and Cause

Anderson passed away on August 3, 2025, at a hospital in Los Angeles, after battling a prolonged illness, according to her longtime publicist Cheryl J. Kagan YouTube+4AP News+4CBS News+4. Reports from multiple outlets—The Daily Beast, Entertainment Weekly, and People—indicate her condition involved Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), an inflammatory lung disease that's often exacerbated by long‑term exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke The Times of India.

📺 Career and Cultural Legacy

• WKRP in Cincinnati (1978–1982) catapulted Anderson to fame. As Jennifer Marlowe, the intelligent, stylish receptionist, she earned two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globes nods Greenwich Time+15Wikipedia+15EW.com+15.

• Her career extended into film with projects such as Stroker Ace, The Jayne Mansfield Story, White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd, and even voice cameos including All Dogs Go to Heaven The Guardian+5Wikipedia+5The Daily Beast+5.

• In 2023, she appeared one final time in Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas, alongside Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Morgan Fairchild, and Nicollette Sheridan Vulture+3Wikipedia+3AP News+3.

💍 Personal Life: Love, Family, and Children

• Anderson’s high‑profile marriage to Burt Reynolds (1988–1994) made headlines and brought her relationship with Reynolds—and their adopted son, Quinton Anderson Reynolds—into public view Vulture+7People.com+7The Guardian+7.

• She is survived by her husband Bob Flick (married in 2008), daughter Deidra Hoffman, son Quinton Reynolds, grandchildren, and stepfamily members as noted in family statements People.com+5The Daily Beast+5CBS News+5.

💰 Net Worth and Final Years

Multiple reports estimate Anderson’s net worth in the range of $10–12 million, accumulated over a multi‑decade career in television, film, syndication royalties, and memoir sales. Though she hadn’t taken major roles in recent years, her legacy continued via her past work and recurring public appearances The Daily BeastWikipedia.

🧾 Summary Table

✅ Final Thoughts: A Life Remembered

Loni Anderson’s passing marks the end of an era. As a standout of WKRP in Cincinnati, she broke the mold for female characters on television—smart, glamorous, and unapologetically confident. Her life story, from early roles to tabloid‑fueled celebrity and eventual quiet dignity, speaks of resilience and grace.

While rumors surrounding Loni Anderson death, did Loni Anderson die, or Loni Anderson cause of death generated confusion online, today’s confirmed reports—from The Guardian, Entertainment Weekly, People, and The Daily Beast—leave no ambiguity Greenwich TimeThe Guardian+10The Guardian+10The Times of India+10WikipediaThe Daily Beast+1The Sun+1The Sun+1Greenwich Time+1.

Her legacy continues through her work, her advocacy for COPD awareness, and the memories of family and fans.