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, The Associated Press reported.

Anderson died at a Los Angeles hospital following a "prolonged" illness, said her longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan.

"We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother," Anderson's family said in a statement.

"WKRP in Cincinnati" aired on CBS from 1978-1982 and was set in a flagging Ohio radio station trying to reinvent itself with rock music. The cast included Gary Sandy, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman , Frank Bonner and Jan Smithers, alongside Anderson as the sexy and smart Jennifer Marlowe.

Dr. Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman) clowns around behind J

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