Actor Loni Anderson, best known for her role in the 1970s and ’80s TV sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati,” has died at 79.
Anderson, who played receptionist Jennifer Marlowe, died Sunday, Aug. 3, at a Los Angeles hospital. According to USA TODAY, Anderson was suffering from “an acute prolonged illness” during the time of her death.
Several other “WKRP in Cincinnati” stars, including Howard Hesseman (who played Dr. Johnny Fever), Gordon Jump (Arthur Carlson) and Frank Bonner (Herb Tarlek) have died in the 43 years since the show ended. However, there are a few cast members still around, and they have worked on and off screen.
Here’s a look.
‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ living cast members
“WKRP in Cincinnati” cast photo: Bottom (L-R): Jan Smithers, Loni Anderson, Howard Hesseman. Middle row: Frank Bonner, Gary Sandy; Back row: Richard Sanders, Gordon Jump and Tim Reid.
Gary Sandy (Andy Travis)
Gary Sandy, who was born in Dayton, Ohio, on Dec. 25, 1945, played program director Andy Travis on “WKRP in Cincinnati.”
After the sitcom series ended, Sandy appeared in several notable TV shows and films, such as “All That Glitters,” “Murder She Wrote,” “F.B.I The Untold Story,” “L.A. Law,” “Diagnosis Murder,” “Hail to the Chief,” The Last of the Cowboys,” “The Insider” and more. His last on-screen role was in the 2004 film “A Place Called Home,” IMDB reported.
Howard Hesseman and Gary Sandy in “WKRP in Cincinnati.”
According to the bio on his website, Sandy has also appeared in over 100 theatrical productions, including the following Broadway shows: “Saturday, Sunday, Monday,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “Chicago” and more.
Sandy reportedly owns a farm in Northern Kentucky, where he resided as of 2023, per WVXU.
Richard Sanders (Les Nessman)
Actor Richard Sanders, aka Les Nessman of “WKRP in Cincinnati.”
Actor Richard Sanders, 84, got his big break as Les Nessman on “WKRP in Cincinnati.” He played Nessman for the show’s entire run and continued working on screen after the show ended in 1982. Among his last listed credits on IMDB is the 2006 film “Expiration Date,” starring David Keith.
He spoke to the Seattle Times in 2007 about the influence “WKRP in Cincinnati” had on popular music, saying, “We used actual music at the time, the music that everybody was listening to at the time — and sometimes before they were listening to it. It became almost like a radio station. Record companies would send us copies of their new releases and people would listen and decide.”
Jan Smithers (Bailey Quarters)
Smithers, the former model, singer and actor, is best known for her role as reporter Bailey Quarters on “WKRP in Cincinnati.” After starring on the show, Smithers appeared on “Murder, She Wrote” and “The Columnist.” Her last listed role was in the 1987 film, “Mr. Nice Guy.” She is currently 76 years old.
Tim Reid (Venus Flytrap)
Actor, producer and director Tim Reid played DJ Venus Flytrap in “WKRP in Cincinnati.”
Actor, producer and director Tim Reid played DJ Venus Flytrap on “WKRP in Cincinnati.” Reid, who also wrote for the show, was one of the station’s only Black employees and often appeared in episodes centered on Black culture.
Reid has also played Lieutenant Marcel Proust in the ’80s detective series “Simon & Simon” and starred as Ray Campbell in the ’90s sitcom “Sister, Sister.”
Reid earned Emmy nominations and an NAACP Award for the 1987 series “Frank’s Place,” which he starred in and produced. He’s also known for his roles in the following TV shows and movies: “That ’70s Show,” the original “IT” miniseries, “Greenleaf,” “You Wish!” and more.
His latest on-screen role was in the 2024 horror film “Stream,” per IMDB.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Loni Anderson dies: ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ cast members still alive
