Loni Anderson's best Hollywood pinup photos... as tributes pour in after she dies at age 79

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

Iconic actress and model Loni Anderson died Sunday at the age of 79.
Anderson came to fame as a bubbly blonde Hollywood bombshell. The looker made her mark with bikini pinup photo shoots and a pictorial for Playboy magazine.
That led to her starring as sizzling hot receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the hit CBS comedy WKRP In Cincinnati. WKRP In Cincinnati aired from 1978-1982 and was set in an Ohio radio station.
Her love life was also interesting: she was married to late Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds from 1988 through 1994. She was married a total of four times, most recently to Bob Flick in 2008.
She died at a Los Angeles hospital following a 'prolonged' illness, said her longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan.
Here is a look back at her hottest moments.
WKRP In Cincinnati was an instant classic.
The cast of the series included Gary Sandy, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman, Frank Bonner and Jan Smithers, alongside Anderson as the sexy and smart Jennifer Marlowe.
As the station's receptionist, the blonde and high-heeled Marlowe used her sex appeal to deflect unwanted business calls for her boss, Mr. Carlson.
Marlowe's efficiency often kept the station running in the face of others´ incompetence.
The role earned Anderson two Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nominations.
Anderson starred on the big screen alongside Burt Reynolds in the 1983 comedy Stroker Ace and the two later married and became tabloid fixtures before divorcing in 1994.
Tributes began pouring in for the late star as news of her passing spread on Sunday.
I Dream of Jeannie actress Barbara Eden said on the platform: '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.
Eden continued: 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.
She was 'truly at a loss for words' on the somber day.
Eden concluded, 'Loni, you were one in a trillion, my friend, and even a trillion more.'
Publicist Danny Deraney wrote on X: 'Rest in peace Loni Anderson. There was something so wonderful about her role of Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP.
'She had the looks, brains and always the upper hand.'
Music publicist Eric Alper wrote: 'RIP Loni Anderson, forever our Jennifer Marlowe from WKRP in Cincinnati—smart, stylish, and stealing every scene.'
He called Anderson 'a true TV icon with heart, humor, and glam.'
Eden called Anderson 'a darling lady and a genuinely good person,' adding that sh
In 2023, Anderson co-starred in Lifetime's Ladies Of The 80s: A Divas Christmas with Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Morgan Fairchild and Nicollette Sheridan.
'I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of the wonderful Loni Anderson!' Fairchild said on X. 'I'm just devastated to hear this. Love & condolences to Bob (who was on set every day w her) & her kids and grandkids, who she adored.
Fairchild described Anderson as 'the sweetest, most gracious lady' and said she was 'just devastated to hear this.'
Fairchild noted how she and Anderson 'had worked on Bob Hope specials together' as well as A Divas Christmas - from which she shared a pic from the set with Anderson and Mills.
'We had so much fun on this!' Fairchild said. 'She will be greatly missed!'
Said one user: 'Some of us who are older are seeing the TV and music celebrities we grew up with erased every day. RIP Loni.'
Anderson wrote a 1995 autobiography titled My Life in High Heels. In it, she wrote about 'the growth of a woman, a woman who survives' adversity.
Anderson added, 'It's about my childhood, the death of my parents, my career, my divorces, and my children.
Anderson said the book also covered 'the trauma of [her] marriage to' Burt Reynolds.
Anderson told The Associated Press of the book: 'I think if you´re going to write about yourself, you have to do it warts and all. You may not even tell the nicest things about yourself, because you´re telling the truth.'
She married four times, most recently to Bob Flick in 2008.
Anderson was born August 5, 1945, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Her father was an environmental chemist, and her mother was a model.
Her first role as an actress was a small part in the 1966 film Nevada Smith, starring Steve McQueen. Most of her career was spent on the small screen with early guest parts in the 1970s on S.W.A.T. and Police Woman.
After WKRP, Anderson starred in the short-lived comedy series Easy Street and appeared in made-for-TV movies including A Letter to Three Wives and White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd.
Anderson is survived by Flick, her daughter Deidra and son-in law Charlie Hoffman, son Quinton Anderson Reynolds, grandchildren McKenzie and Megan Hoffman, stepson Adam Flick and wife Helene, and step-grandchildren Felix and Maximilian.
A private family service is planned at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Kagan said.