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Hollywood lost another star in actress Loni Anderson, who died on August 3, 2025, in Los Angeles, surrounded by her family. The actress, who was days away from her 80th birthday, died of “an acute prolonged illness.''
Anderson's family announced the news of her tragic passing in a statement that reads as follows:
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother.''
Most famous for her role as the blonde receptionist in CBS's WKRP in Cincinnati, Loni Anderson subverted the 'dumb blonde' stereotype and challenged societal norms with each role in her career. In addition to TV shows and films, the actress has also made guest appearances in shows like S.W.A.T., The Invisible Man, Police Woman, and Phyllis.
Here are 5 Loni Anderson TV shows and movies.
5 Loni Anderson TV shows and movies to remember her by
1) WKRP in Cincinnati
This 1978 CBS sitcom is certainly one of the most important and defining moments in Loni Anderson's life, as it earned her nominations for three Golden Globe Awards and two Emmy Awards.
WKRP in Cincinnati followed the everyday lives of the staff in a struggling fictional AM radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio. To turn things around for his radio station, new program director Andy Travis switches from easy-going music to rock and roll, hoping to change the fate of his station.
Anderson played the role of 'bombshell' receptionist Jennifer Marlowe, a role which was considered a breakthrough for the actress. Gary Sandy, Gordon Jump, Howard Hesseman, and Richard Sanders also star.
2) Easy Street
Loni Anderson stars as L.K. McGuire, a onetime showgirl, in this 1986 NBC sitcom. While Easy Street ran for only 22 episodes and was canceled after just a few months, it was one of the defining lead projects for the late actress.
Easy Street follows L.K. McGuire, a onetime showgirl who manages to marry a young and wealthy man. However, he suddenly dies, leaving his wife to fend for herself against his bitter sister, who tries her best to get L.K. out of the picture and inherit her brother's money. Things get even complicated when L.K. invites her down-and-out uncle to live with her and her in-laws.
3) Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas
The star's final film before her death, Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas, is Lifetime's Christmas comedy television film that honors five soap opera divas who ruled the small screen in their prime.
The movie stars five soap opera stars, namely Loni Anderson, Morgan Fairchild, Linda Gray, Donna Mills, and Nicollette Sheridan, as they reunite to shoot the final episode of their long-running (and fictional ) series. The movie is an ode to veteran TV stars who made the small screen iconic with their roles. Tragically, it also became one of the final projects in Anderson's career.
4) Nurses
The spin-off of NBC's Empty Nest, Nurses followed the lives of the medical staff, mainly nurses, working in the same fictional Miami hospital as Empty Nest's Dr. Harry Weston. The show starred Stephanie Hodge, Arnetia Walker, and Mary Jo Keenen in the lead roles.
Loni Anderson debuted in Nurses in Season 3 as the new hospital administrator, Casey McAfee. While Anderson's entry was quite late and ran for only one season in the series, it is also one of her most memorable roles to date and quite different from her other roles in her career. The series also had crossovers with Empty Nest and the parent show, The Golden Girls.
5) White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd
Loni Anderson played the role of Hollywood comedic actress Thelma Todd in this 1991 movie based on Andy Edmonds' non-fiction book, Hot Toddy: The True Story of Hollywood's Most Sensational Murder.
While Thelma Todd's death was ruled accidental in 1935, it has always been controversial and has given rise to many conspiracy theories, including this 1991 movie. Anderson played the titular and lead character of the comedic actress who suddenly died at the ripe age of 29.
The television movie was released as a double feature with The Jayne Mansfield Story, also starring Anderson.
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