Loni Anderson Wanted to Work for Disney, But It Never Happened.
The beloved TV icon passed away just days shy of her 80th birthday. We look back at her career, her ties to Disney, and what made her one of the most memorable stars of the 1980s.
Here’s the TL;DR…
Loni Anderson passed away on August 3, 2025, just days before her 80th birthday, following a prolonged illness.
She was best known for her role as Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP in Cincinnati, a performance that earned her multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Despite admiring Disney and pursuing roles, Anderson never officially worked on a Disney project, though she voiced Flo in All Dogs Go to Heaven and sought family-friendly roles in the ‘90s.
Her marriage to Burt Reynolds was both high-profile and turbulent, later detailed in her 1995 memoir My Life in High Heels.
Anderson was a COPD awareness advocate and is remembered as a glamorous, gracious figure who broke stereotypes and left a lasting impact on pop culture.
The world is saying goodbye to Loni Anderson, best known for playing the effortlessly poised receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the hit sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. Her death was confirmed on August 3, 2025, by publicist Cheryl J. Kagan, citing a “prolonged illness.” Anderson died in Los Angeles, surrounded by family, only two days before what would have been her 80th birthday.
Her family shared a heartfelt statement: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother, and grandmother.” The announcement triggered an outpouring of tributes from friends, fans, and former co-stars across social media.
A Star Who Redefined the ‘Blonde Bombshell’
Anderson, born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on August 5, 1945, rose to fame in the late 1970s thanks to WKRP in Cincinnati, which aired on CBS from 1978 to 1982. The role earned her three Golden Globe nominations and two Emmy nods.
But beyond accolades, Anderson’s take on Jennifer Marlowe flipped the script. She wasn’t the ditzy blonde stereotype—she was sharp, self-assured, and always one step ahead of her male colleagues. Her portrayal helped reframe expectations for women on TV during a time when female roles often leaned heavily on caricature.
Her 1970s bikini poster made her an icon of the era, but Anderson used that attention to shift the narrative on who she really was.
Hollywood Highlights
While she’ll forever be linked to WKRP, Anderson’s career spanned decades. Highlights include:
The Jayne Mansfield Story (1980) where she starred opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger.
White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd (1991)
Guest spots on The Love Boat, Melrose Place, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and more.
A starring role in Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas (2023) on Lifetime, her final screen credit.
Her Disney Dreams
Although Anderson never starred in a Walt Disney Pictures production, she was deeply inspired by Disney storytelling. In a 2021 interview with Fox News, she compared her early relationship with Burt Reynolds to a “Cinderella” fairy tale—highlighting her lifelong affection for Disney’s romantic ideals.
Fans may associate her most closely with All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989), in which she voiced Flo. The Don Bluth film wasn’t a Disney title, but its whimsical animation and heartfelt themes were undeniably in the same spirit.
In the 1990s, Anderson reportedly hoped to land a role in a Disney Channel show or animated feature, but casting directors often overlooked her in favor of more conventional “mom” types. Her past as a bombshell seemingly overshadowed her real-life warmth and wit.
Still, many fans saw her as a natural fit for Disney, and that admiration never faded.
Fact Check: Her Health, Death, and Legacy
According to Associated Press and The New York Times, Anderson died on August 3, 2025. Her cause of death was reported as complications from an “acute prolonged illness.”
There has been speculation linking her passing to COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), which she had publicly discussed in the past, noting it affected her parents. However, no official cause has been confirmed.
Anderson had been the target of false death rumors before—most notably in 2019, when several hoax sites claimed she had passed. This time, sadly, it’s real.
She is survived by her husband Bob Flick (whom she married in 2008), daughter Deidra Hoffman, son Quinton Reynolds (adopted during her marriage to Burt Reynolds), and grandchildren.
What Made Her a Fan Favorite
Loni Anderson embodied a rare mix of glamour, humor, and resilience. Even amid tabloid scrutiny during her highly publicized marriage and divorce from Burt Reynolds (1988–1994), she maintained dignity and candor. Her 1995 memoir My Life in High Heels offered a personal glimpse into that turbulent time.
She was also known for her advocacy—raising awareness for COPD and championing causes related to elder care.
Did You Know?
WKRP in Cincinnati inspired one of the most famous Thanksgiving episodes in sitcom history: “Turkeys Away.”
Anderson almost became a Disney princess. She auditioned for several animated projects in the 1990s but was reportedly passed over due to typecasting.
Her role in All Dogs Go to Heaven marked one of the few times she lent her voice to animation.
She had a longstanding friendship with fellow '80s star Morgan Fairchild, who called her “the sweetest, most gracious lady” after her passing.
Sources:
“Loni Anderson, ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ Star, Dies at 79,” Associated Press (AP News), August 3, 2025
“Loni Anderson Reflects on Burt Reynolds, Her Iconic Poster and Hollywood,” Fox News, November 25, 2021
“Loni Anderson, Star of ‘WKRP in Cincinnati,’ Dies at 79,” The New York Times, August 3, 2025
“Loni Anderson, ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ Actress, Dies at 79,” Variety, August 3, 2025
“The Untold Truth Of Loni Anderson,” Looper, June 24, 2022
Wikipedia and Biography.com entries, accessed August 3, 2025 (used for general biographical background)
This news comes to us via multiple confirmed sources, including the Associated Press, Variety, and The New York Times.
News compiled by Ivy Adams for Pirates & Princesses.