What was Loni Anderson's first role as an actress? Career highlights explored as 'Stroker Ace' star dies at 79

American actress Loni Anderson died on August 3 at the age of 79. The news was announced by her family through this statement:

"We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother."

According to her publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, Anderson passed away following a long battle with illness in a hospital in LA. The news has come as a shock to many, with fans from around the world remembering the late actress, who began her acting career with the 1966 film Nevada Smith, where she played a very small role.

Her most notable acting work came in the 1970s, a decade that saw her appear in a number of TV shows.

Loni Anderson's most notable works

In 1975, she was cast in two episodes of S.W.A.T., a TV series that helped her gain recognition in the industry. After that, she was featured in a number of series, some of which included The Invisible Man, Phyllis, The Incredible Hulk, Fantasy Island, and The Love Boat.

Her major breakthrough role came from WKRP in Cincinnati, a TV series that ran from 1978 to 1982. According to IMDb, she used to charge around $20,000 per half-hour episode for WKRP in Cincinnati. The role made her a household name and turned her into a popular sex symbol on TV.

Speaking of the same in an interview with Fox News, she said:

"I never thought I would be Loni Anderson, sex symbol. But I embrace it. I think I was lucky enough to have been able to play so many different things and sex symbol was a part of it. I took whatever my career threw at me. So I embrace it. And my granddaughters think it’s a hoot!"

Along with being an actress, she also gave her voice to many shows in the late 1980s, including Blondie & Dagwood: Second Wedding Workout and All Dogs Go to Heaven.

The audience loved her for the TV movie White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd, released in 1991, and A Night at the Roxbury, released in 1998. In addition to doing shows and movies, she also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Loni Anderson, while talking about her love for acting, told Fox News:

"I love acting. Actors never retire because we love it so much. It becomes your life, your joy. Comedy is my favorite. I’m always looking to do something different and comedy attracts me the most."

Her final credited role, according to IMDb, was in the 2023 film Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas, where she played the character Lily Marlowe.

Trending

Also Read: What is Loni Anderson’s net worth? Fortune explored as WKRP in Cincinnati star dies at 79

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback