Los Angeles, August 4 (H.S.): Loni Anderson, famed for her role as Jennifer Marlowe in WKRP in Cincinnati, passed away at 79 in Los Angeles on August 3 after a prolonged illness, just days before her 80th birthday. Her family announced the news, stating, We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother, while keeping details about her medical condition private.

Anderson was known for her advocacy for COPD awareness and her dedication to caring for her chronically ill parents. Born in Minnesota, she became a television icon, portraying Jayne Mansfield in The Jayne Mansfield Story (1980) alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Thelma Todd in White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd (1991). Between 1988 and 1990, she appeared in TV remakes like Leave Her to Heaven, Sorry, Wrong Number, and Three Coins in the Fountain. Her notable roles also included appearances in S.W.A.T., Police Woman, Phyllis, and Barnaby Jones, but her defining role remained as the intelligent and attractive receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP in Cincinnati from 1978 to 1982.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar