An official cause of death has been determined for the late actress Loni Anderson, who passed earlier this month at age 79.
The WKRP in Cincinnati star died from metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma, according to a death certificate obtained by TMZ, who noted the disease is an incredibly rare form of cancer that usually begins in the uterus and is able to spread to other areas of the body.
At the time her death was announced, her longtime publicist Cheryl J. Kagan said that Anderson died following a ‘prolonged’ illness.
Anderson, who played a struggling radio station’s empowered receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the hit CBS comedy, died at a Los Angeles hospital just days before her 80th birthday.
She was married to the late Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds from 1988 thru 1994.
‘We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother,’ Anderson’s family said in a statement.
Loni Anderson died from metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma, an incredibly rare form of cancer, according to a death certificate; pictured 2023
WKRP in Cincinnati aired from 1978-1982 and was set in a flagging Ohio radio station trying to reinvent itself with rock music.
The cast of the series included Gary Sandy, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman, Frank Bonner and Jan Smithers, alongside Anderson as the sexy and smart Jennifer Marlowe.
As the station’s receptionist, the blonde and high-heeled Marlowe used her sex appeal to deflect unwanted business calls for her boss, Mr. Carlson.
Marlowe’s efficiency often kept the station running in the face of others´ incompetence.
The role earned Anderson two Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nominations.
Anderson starred on the big screen alongside Burt Reynolds in the 1983 comedy Stroker Ace and the two later married and became tabloid fixtures before divorcing in 1994.
Tributes began pouring in for the late star as news of her passing spread on Sunday.
I Dream of Jeannie actress Barbara Eden said on the platform: ‘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.’
Eden continued: ‘What can I say about Loni that everyone doesn’t already know? 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.’
Anderson was married to late Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds from 1988 thru 1994
Anderson pictured at the 18th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in LA in 2007
The CBS comedy WKRP in Cincinnati, featuring (L-R) Anderson; the late Howard Hesseman; and Jan Smithers, aired from 1978-1982 and was set in an Ohio rock radio station
Eden called Anderson ‘a darling lady and a genuinely good person,’ adding that she was ‘truly at a loss for words’ on the somber day.’
Eden concluded, ‘Loni, you were one in a trillion, my friend, and even a trillion more.’
Publicist Danny Deraney wrote on X: ‘Rest in peace Loni Anderson. There was something so wonderful about her role of Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP.
‘She had the looks, brains and always the upper hand.’
Music publicist Eric Alper wrote: ‘RIP Loni Anderson, forever our Jennifer Marlowe from WKRP in Cincinnati—smart, stylish, and stealing every scene.’
He called Anderson ‘a true TV icon with heart, humor, and glam.’
In 2023, Anderson co-starred in Lifetime’s Ladies Of The 80s: A Divas Christmas with Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Morgan Fairchild and Nicollette Sheridan.
‘I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of the wonderful Loni Anderson!’ Fairchild said on X. ‘I’m just devastated to hear this. Love & condolences to Bob (who was on set every day w her) & her kids and grandkids, who she adored.
Fairchild described Anderson as ‘the sweetest, most gracious lady’ and said she was ‘just devastated to hear this.’
Anderson pictured at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on May 10, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California
I Dream of Jeannie actress Barbara Eden said she was ‘absolutely stunned and heartbroken’
Anderson’s Hollywood pal Morgan Fairchild remembered her late friend in a series of posts
Fairchild noted how she and Anderson ‘had worked on Bob Hope specials together’ as well as A Divas Christmas – from which she shared a pic from the set with Anderson and Mills.
‘We had so much fun on this!’ Fairchild said. ‘She will be greatly missed!’
Said one user: ‘Some of us who are older are seeing the TV and music celebrities we grew up with erased every day. RIP Loni.’
Anderson wrote a 1995 autobiography titled My Life in High Heels. In it, she wrote about ‘the growth of a woman, a woman who survives’ adversity.
Anderson added, ‘It’s about my childhood, the death of my parents, my career, my divorces, and my children.
Anderson said the book also covered ‘the trauma of [her] marriage to’ Burt Reynolds.
Anderson told The Associated Press of the book: ‘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.’
She married four times, most recently to Bob Flick in 2008.
Tributes began pouring in for the late star as news of her passing spread on Sunday
Online memorials to the late WKRP in Cincinnati continued as fans remembered her talents
Anderson was born August 5, 1945, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Her father was an environmental chemist, and her mother was a model.
Her first role as an actress was a small part in the 1966 film Nevada Smith, starring Steve McQueen. Most of her career was spent on the small screen with early guest parts in the 1970s on S.W.A.T. and Police Woman.
After WKRP, Anderson starred in the short-lived comedy series Easy Street and appeared in made-for-TV movies including A Letter to Three Wives and White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd.
Anderson is survived by Flick, her daughter Deidra and son-in law Charlie Hoffman, son Quinton Anderson Reynolds, grandchildren McKenzie and Megan Hoffman, stepson Adam Flick and wife Helene, and step-grandchildren Felix and Maximilian.
