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Hollywood is mourning the loss of actress Loni Anderson, the breakthrough star of WKRP in Cincinnati, who redefined the 'dumb blonde' trope on the small screen.
Anderson, who was just days away from her 80th birthday, died on Sunday in L.A., surrounded by her family and loved ones. A statement issued by the actress' family reads as follows:
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother.''
One of the leading soap opera stars of her time, Loni Anderson helped shape female characters on television and subverted the 'dumb blonde' trope on TV. Her WKRP in Cincinnati character, receptionist Jennifer Marlowe, was a ''Blonde Bombshell'' who was undoubtedly the smartest person in her ensemble cast. The role also earned her nominations for three Golden Globe Awards and two Emmy Awards.
More on this in our story.
Remembering Loni Anderson: The star who broke the 'dumb blonde' stereotype on television
When creator Hugh Wilson approached the late actress with the script of WKRP in Cincinnati, the role of Jennifer Marlowe was like other receptionists of that time, pretty and 'dumb blondes' written for the male gaze, getting her co-workers their morning coffee and daily faxes.
However, Loni Anderson initially rejected the part because she did not want to fit into the 'dumb blonde' stereotype, as she later recalled in an interview:
“I went in and sat on my little soapbox: ‘I don’t want to play this part because she’s just here to deliver messages and is window dressing.’'
When asked how she would play the part of Jennifer Marlowe in WKRP in Cincinnati, the actress said:
“‘Let’s make her look like Lana Turner and be the smartest person in the room.'”
And that is exactly what Loni Anderson did, and her character stood apart from the A-list ensemble cast of the CBS sitcom.
While Jennifer Marlowe, the 'bombshell receptionist', eventually made Anderson a bona fide s*x symbol on the small screen, her character was equally smart and intelligent. Unlike other blonde receptionists of the small screen during that time, Anderson's character often emerged as the smartest person at her radio station, even rescuing her incompetent staff from their chaos and work troubles.
Loni Anderson's iconic role changed female characters on television forever, reiterating that a woman can be glamorous and intelligent. She was one of the pioneers of 'beauty with brains' on the small screen, and the world will remember her as the “Blonde Bombshell”.
Remembering Loni Anderson through her career and legacy
WKRP in Cincinnati took Loni Anderson to the heights of stardom, and she continued to play the glam lady in television films, especially the 1991 film White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd.
Based on Andy Edmonds' 1989 non-fiction book Hot Toddy: The True Story of Hollywood's Most Sensational Murder, Anderson played the role of Hollywood comedic actress Thelma Todd, who suddenly died in 1935 at the ripe age of 29 years. While Todd's death was later declared accidental, many speculations and conspiracy theories shrouded her death.
The late actress not only challenged society and broke stereotypes through her roles, but also maintained mystery in her real life. Known as the “Blonde Bombshell”, Anderson was naturally black haired, as she said in a 2020 interview:
“I loved being a brunette. It was exotic, people weren’t quite sure what nationality I was, there was a mystery. When acting, I could play the bad lady.”
While the actress never disclosed her illness, she was an advocate for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which suggests that her battle for its prevention was personal. She also became the primary caregiver to her parents, who suffered from COPD, and continued to host campaigns in the last years of her life.
Remembering Anderson, Steve Sauer, her manager of 30 years, said in a statement:
“Loni was a class act. Beautiful. Talented. Witty. ALWAYS a joy to be around. She was the ultimate working mother. Family first … and maintained a great balance with her career. She and I had wonderful adventures together that I shall forever cherish. I will especially miss that infectious chuckle of hers. She will be forever missed.”
Lifetime's Christmas comedy movie, Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas, marks the last project of Loni Anderson's life.
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Also Read: Remembering Loni Anderson: 5 TV shows that defined her career and made her a star
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