Loni Anderson, the Twin Cities native who went on to TV stardom in ‘WKRP in Cincinnati,” has died at the age of 79.

Her death at a Los Angeles hospital, coming just days before her 80th birthday, followed a “prolonged” illness, a statement from her publicist said.

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

Born in St. Paul and raised in Roseville, Anderson rose to fame in “WKRP in Cincinnati,” a CBS sitcom that ran from 1978 and 1982 and centered on a struggling AM radio station that changed its format to rock and roll to revive its fortunes.

She played Jennifer Marlowe, the smart receptionist whose job it was to deflect calls intended for station manager Arthur Carlson. Her performance in the role won her two Emmy and three Golden Globe nominations.

Her other credits included roles in “Night At The Roxbury,” the 1998 comedy vehicle for “Saturday Night Live” stars Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan. That same year, she played the villain in children’s movie “3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain” that also starred the late Hulk Hogan.

Anderson was married four times, with her third husband the Hollywood star Burt Reynolds, whom she met on 1983 movie “Stroker Ace” and married five years later, divorcing in 1994.

The Star Tribune reports she met her fourth and final husband, Bob Flick, at a movie premiere in Minneapolis.

The celebrity world has been paying tribute to Anderson following news of her death.

“Like many, I am absolutely stunned and heartbroken,” said “I Dream of Jeannie” star Barbara Eden. “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. Even beyond that, Loni was a darling lady and a genuinely good person … I am truly at a loss for words.”