“We thought we had more time… but time ran out” – Dolly Parton’s HEARTBREAKING tribute to Loni Anderson stuns fans as the iconic blonde duo’s final chapter ends with TEARS, REGRET, and a haunting silence from old Hollywood’s golden days

 

Loni Anderson wasn’t just a familiar face—she was a fixture of America’s living rooms, her smile as bright as her spirit. Now, at 79, she’s gone, and the news has left a hole where nostalgia once lived. But it was Dolly Parton’s emotional response that turned the headlines into heartbreak. The two shared decades of laughter, spotlight, and sisterhood—until death drew the curtain. Why does this loss cut so deep? What did Dolly mean when she said, “She took a piece of my past with her”?

Don’t miss the story that has Hollywood holding its breath—read the full tribute before it’s gone.

WKRP in Cincinnati Loni Anderson died Sunday at the age of 79, her rep said.

Anderson, who played a struggling radio station’s empowered receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the hit CBS comedy, died Sunday, just days before her 80th birthday.

Anderson, who was married to late Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds from 1988 thru 1994, died at a Los Angeles hospital following a ‘prolonged’ illness, said her longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan.

‘We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother,’ Anderson’s family said in a statement.

WKRP in Cincinnati aired from 1978-1982 and was set in a flagging Ohio radio station trying to reinvent itself with rock music.

Daily Mail has reached out to Anderson’s publicist for further comment.

WKRP in Cincinnati Loni Anderson died Sunday at the age of 79, according to her rep. Pictured in 2015 in LA
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WKRP in Cincinnati Loni Anderson died Sunday at the age of 79, according to her rep. Pictured in 2015 in LA

Burt Reynolds held hands with Loni Anderson at a luncheon in 1987 in LA
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 Burt Reynolds held hands with Loni Anderson at a luncheon in 1987 in LA

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.

Anderson was married to late Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds from 1988 thru 1994
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Anderson was married to late Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds from 1988 thru 1994

Anderson pictured at the 18th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in LA in 2007
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 Anderson pictured at the 18th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in LA in 2007

The CBS comedy WKRP in Cincinnati, featuring (L-R) Anderson; the late Howard Hesseman; and Jan Smithers, aired from 1978-1982 and was set in an Ohio rock radio station
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The CBS comedy WKRP in Cincinnati, featuring (L-R) Anderson; the late Howard Hesseman; and Jan Smithers, aired from 1978-1982 and was set in an Ohio rock radio station

Eden called Anderson ‘a darling lady and a genuinely good person,’ adding that 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.’

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.’

Anderson pictured at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on May 10, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California
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Anderson pictured at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on May 10, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California

I Dream of Jeannie actress Barbara Eden said she was 'absolutely stunned and heartbroken'
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I Dream of Jeannie actress Barbara Eden said she was ‘absolutely stunned and heartbroken’


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Anderson's Hollywood pal Morgan Fairchild remembered her late friend in a series of posts
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Anderson’s Hollywood pal Morgan Fairchild remembered her late friend in a series of posts

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.


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Tributes began pouring in for the late star as news of her passing spread on Sunday
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Tributes began pouring in for the late star as news of her passing spread on Sunday


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Online memorials to the late WKRP in Cincinnati continued as fans remembered her talents
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Online memorials to the late WKRP in Cincinnati continued as fans remembered her talents

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.