Hollywood is mourning the loss of actress Loni Anderson, who passed on August 3, 2025. She is best remembered for her iconic role as ‘Jennifer Marlowe’ on the hit sitcom, WKRP in Cincinnati. The Golden Globe-nominated star died at the age of 79, just two days shy of her 80th birthday. However, the cause of her death was still unconfirmed, and now, after three whole weeks, Loni’s cause of death has been revealed, leaving fans heartbroken. Here’s everything you must know about it.
Loni Anderson passed away due to a rare illness
Three weeks after Loni Anderson’s demise, the official cause of her death has been revealed. According to her death certificate, obtained by TMZ, she died from metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma. For those unaware, it is a rare and aggressive form of cancer. The illness first begins in the uterus and often spreads to the lungs and liver. It can lead to severe complications and is difficult to treat once it advances. Loni’s death was confirmed by her longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, who mentioned that she passed away in a Los Angeles hospital after what was described as a “prolonged illness.”
Pic credits: Fox News
The actress was laid to rest on August 7 following a private cremation and burial in Hollywood. The previous announcement about her death came from Anderson’s family, who shared their heartbreak in a statement. They remembered her as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. At the same time, fans and industry insiders paid tribute to her charm, wit, and impressive acting performances, especially in the ’70s. Her Family’s statement read:
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother, and grandmother.”
Pic credits: Alamy and Closer Weekly
What led to the sad fate of Loni Anderson and Burt Reynolds’s high-profile romance?
Apart from her career, Loni Anderson’s personal life, especially her high-profile relationship with Burt Reynolds. They met on the set of Stroker Ace in 1983 and quickly became one of Hollywood’s power couples. The duo had a secret wedding in 1988, where Burt called himself ‘a very lucky man’ while Loni described their romance as a real-life ‘Cinderella story.’ They even adopted a son, Quinton, during their marriage. However, their romance ended in a bitter divorce in 1994. Burt, who passed away in 2018, told People that marrying Loni was a dumb move on his part, while she accused him of physically abusing her, allegedly under the influence of drugs, SFGate reported in 1995.
More about Loni Anderson’s four marriages and two kids
Loni Anderson’s romance with Burt Reynolds might have gained the spotlight, but she also married three times to other people during her lifetime. Initially, she married Bruce Hasselberg in 1964, with whom she had her daughter, Deidra Hoffman. After they split in 1966, she married actor Ross Bickell in 1974. The marriage ended seven years later, allegedly because he didn’t want to be in her shadow when her career grew.
Following her marriage to Reynolds, Anderson found stability with her fourth husband, musician Bob Flick, whom she married in 2008. She is survived by Flick, her daughter Deidra, who works as a school administrator and has battled multiple sclerosis. She was a quiet support for her mother during her last years while Quinton pursued a career behind the scenes in Hollywood, working in the camera and electrical departments.
Pic credits: Closer Weekly and Men’s Journal
What do you think about Loni Anderson’s cause of death? Let us know.
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