If you’re hopping onto Google because you saw a headline or a social media post asking did Loni Anderson die today, the answer is actually a bit complicated. It’s a "no" for today specifically, but it’s a "yes" for very recently. It’s one of those weird internet moments. People are still processing it.
Honestly, the news cycle is a mess. Loni Anderson, the woman who basically redefined the "blonde bombshell" trope on WKRP in Cincinnati, passed away on August 3, 2025. She was 79. She was just two days shy of her 80th birthday. It’s incredibly sad.
The Reality of What Happened
She didn't pass away this morning. However, the reason you might be seeing it trend right now is likely due to tribute videos or "rest in peace" posts finally hitting your specific algorithm. That’s how the internet works in 2026. News travels in waves.
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Loni died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Her family was there. Her publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, described it as a "prolonged illness." Later, we found out the specifics. It was metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma. That’s a mouthful, but basically, it’s an incredibly rare and aggressive form of cancer.
It starts in the smooth muscle of the uterus. It’s hard to catch. By the time it spreads—or "metastasizes"—it usually heads for the lungs or liver. It’s a tough fight. Loni kept it private for a long time, which is very much in character for her. She was always poised. Always in control of her image.
Why Everyone Is Talking About Her Now
You have to understand how much she meant to TV history. Jennifer Marlowe wasn't just a receptionist. She was the smartest person in the room. Loni played her with this cool, unflappable dignity. She made $30,000 an episode back when that was a fortune. She knew her worth.
Then there was the Burt Reynolds era. That was peak Hollywood tabloid fodder. Their 1993 divorce was legendary. Not the good kind of legendary. It was messy. It was expensive. It took Burt over 20 years to finally pay off the settlement.
But Loni was more than a headline. She was a mother to Deidra and Quinton. She was a grandmother. In her later years, she found real peace with Bob Flick, one of the founders of the folk group The Brothers Four. They actually met back in the 60s, lost touch, and reconnected decades later. It’s a literal movie plot.
A Legacy Beyond the Hair
Loni spent years advocating for COPD awareness. Both of her parents were heavy smokers and died from the disease. She didn't smoke. She hated it. She used her platform to warn people about the "drowning" sensation her father described.
Her last big project was that Lifetime movie, Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas. She looked great in it. She was alongside Morgan Fairchild and Linda Gray. It felt like a victory lap.
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What You Should Know About the Rumors
If you see a link claiming she died today, January 13, 2026, be careful. Those are often "clickbait" sites. They recycle old news to get ad revenue. It’s annoying. It’s disrespectful.
- Fact Check: She passed on Aug 3, 2025.
- Cause: Metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma.
- Location: Los Angeles, CA.
- Interment: She was cremated and interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
She’s gone, but she isn't "gone" from the culture. You can still find WKRP reruns if you look hard enough. Her autobiography, My Life in High Heels, is actually a surprisingly gritty read. She talks about the "warts and all" of Hollywood.
If you want to honor her, maybe don't just click the link. Look into the American Lung Association or organizations researching rare cancers like leiomyosarcoma. That’s the kind of thing she actually cared about.
The best way to stay updated on celebrity news without falling for the "did they die today" traps is to follow primary sources like the Associated Press or Hollywood Reporter. They don't play games with headlines.
Verify the date on any article you read. Look for the "Published on" line. If it says 2025, you're looking at the original report. If it's a social media post with no date, it's likely a bot. Stay sharp.
Next Step: You can look up the Loni Anderson COPD awareness videos on YouTube to see the advocacy work she was most proud of during her final decade. It’s a side of her many fans never saw.