Loni Anderson, who played a struggling radio station’s empowered receptionist on the hit TV comedy “WKRP in Cincinnati,” died Sunday, just days before her 80th birthday. “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife,

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Actress Loni Anderson, who won acclaim for her U.S. television sitcom role as the brainy, glamorous radio station receptionist defying workplace sexual stereotypes on "WKRP in Cincinnati," died on Sunday at age 79, according to her publicist.

Loni Anderson, 79, has died, just days before her 80th birthday. The actress’s longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, said she died at a Los Angeles hospital following a “prolonged” illness,” according to the Associated Press on Sunday.