United Kingdom, Aug. 4 -- Loni Anderson has died.

The 79-year-old actress - who was best known for her role as Jennifer Marlowe on the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati - passed away in a Los Angeles hospital after a "prolonged illness", according to her longtime publicist Cheryl J. Kagan.

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

Loni was nominated for three Golden Globe nominations and two Emmy nominations for her work on WKRP in Cincinnati

The success of the show led her to movies and Loni went on to star in 1983 race car comedy Stroker Ace with Burt Reynolds.

The pair fell in love and tied the knot in 1988, before going on to adopt son Quinton.

However, the ...