How did Loni Anderson and Barbara Eden meet? Friendship explored as I Dream of Jeannie star and more pay tribute

Barbara Eden is mourning the demise of her decades-long friend, Loni Anderson.

Anderson, who was most known for her work on the 1970s TV sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati," died at 79, USA Today has reported. Her representative, Cheryl J. Kagan, told the outlet that she succumbed to "an acute prolonged illness" on Sunday, August 3, at a hospital in Los Angeles.

Anderson was reportedly surrounded by her family at the time. She was most known for portraying receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the sitcom, for which she was honored with two Primetime Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nods.

Earlier today, Eden took to X to publicly pay tribute to her late friend. The pair met decades ago, when they worked on Bob Hope specials. However, the exact timeframe of this remains unclear. During an interview with Baltimore Media Blog, Anderson recalled meeting Eden:

"I call Barbara and I the giggle sisters. We met doing Bob Hope specials years ago. We’ve continued that friendship for years."

Barbara Eden, Loni Love, Morgan Fairchild, and more pay their respects to Loni Anderson: Read more

In her tribute on X, Barbara Eden said:

"The news just came through that my dear friend Loni Anderson has passed. 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. 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."

"Even beyond that, Loni was a darling lady and a genuinely good person … I am truly at a loss for words. My condolences to her family, her husband Bob, and her children, Deidra and Quinton. Loni, you were one in a trillion, my friend, and even a trillion more. - Barbara"

Loni Anderson would have turned 80 years old on August 5. She was born in 1945 to Klaydon Carl Anderson, an environmental chemist, and Maxine Hazel, a model. Although she began her acting career in the early '70s, it was only towards the end of the decade that she bagged the role on WKRP.

It was this role that made her popular in the '70s and '80s. As reported by USA Today, she'd eventually come to be known as the "Queen of Made-for-TV Movies."

In the days since her passing, several of those who knew and loved her flocked to social media to offer their condolences.

Morgan Fairchild, who worked with Anderson in 2023 on the Lifetime movie "Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas," uploaded a throwback photo of the two on set and referred to Anderson as "one of the genuinely nicest ladies I've ever worked with."

"I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of the wonderful Loni Anderson!" Fairchild wrote in another X post. "We did Bob Hope specials together and a Christmas movie two years ago. The sweetest, most gracious lady! I'm just devastated to hear this."

Loni Love also took to X to share some throwback photos of the actress alongside the following caption:

"Very sad to hear about the passing of Loni Anderson.. I grew up watching this Queen and was so thrilled to meet her.. condolences to her family and fans."

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