"an acute prolonged illness," the actress' representative Cheryl J. Kagan confirmed to USA TODAY. She was surrounded by her family, who wrote in a statement: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife,

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

Loni Anderson, the beloved actress who brought intelligence and charm to her iconic role as Jennifer Marlowe on the classic TV comedy WKRP in Cincinnati, died Sunday at a Los Angeles hospital following a prolonged illness.