‘I Dream of Jeannie’ Star Barbara Eden, 93, Mourns ‘Heartbreaking’ Death of ‘Genuinely Good Person’ Loni Anderson originally appeared on Parade.
Hollywood is in mourning following the news that Loni Anderson, the iconic actress best known for her role as the whip-smart receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP in Cincinnati, died at the age of 79.
The news was shared by her friend and fellow television legend, I Dream of Jeannie star Barbara Eden, in an Instagram post on Monday. Eden, 93, expressed her shock and grief over the loss of her longtime friend, sharing a message that highlighted Anderson’s talent, wit, and kindness.
Eden wrote: “The news just came through that my dear friend Loni Anderson has passed. 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. 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,” the post continued. “Even beyond that, Loni was a darling lady and a genuinely good person … I am truly at a loss for words.”
“My condolences to her family, her husband Bob, and her children, Deidra and Quinton,” Eden wrote. “Loni, you were one in a trillion, my friend, and even a trillion more.”
Anderson became one of the most recognizable stars of the late 1970s and 1980s, catapulted to fame by her role in the beloved sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. While her stunning looks and blonde bombshell image made her an instant pin-up icon, Anderson earned critical acclaim for subverting expectations.
Her character, Jennifer Marlowe, was the highest-paid employee at the radio station, possessing a sharp intelligence and a savvy understanding of the world that often saved her bumbling colleagues. Her portrayal earned her two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations.
Beyond her signature role, Anderson’s life in the public eye was defined by her high-profile marriage to superstar Burt Reynolds, with whom she adopted her son, Quinton. Their tumultuous relationship and subsequent divorce were frequent subjects of tabloid headlines, cementing her place in pop culture history.
After her split from Reynolds, Anderson found lasting love with Bob Flick, a founding member of the folk group The Brothers Four, whom she married in 2008. Tributes from across the entertainment industry are expected to pour in for the beloved actress, who is remembered not only for her on-screen presence but, as her dear friend Barbara Eden noted, for being a “genuinely good person.”
‘I Dream of Jeannie’ Star Barbara Eden, 93, Mourns ‘Heartbreaking’ Death of ‘Genuinely Good Person’ Loni Anderson first appeared on Parade on Aug 4, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
