Loni Anderson On Becoming A Sex Symbol After ‘WKRP In Cincinnati’

Loni Anderson recently opened up and reflected on becoming a sex symbol after WKRP in Cincinnati first aired. Anderson is one of the most recognizable blondes (who is actually a brunette) in TV history and has cemented herself in such history as a TV sex symbol, a title she still holds today.

In an interview with Fox News, she opens up about this, noting how all of the sex symbol ladies back then used to do ‘posters’ (do you remember Farrah Fawcett’s sensational poster?) “Oh yes, I remember we all did posters back then. Everybody always asks me, “What made you do a poster?” I would say, “Because someday my grandchildren will look at this. And I’ll be able to tell them that I really looked like that. What you saw is what you got *laughs*,” she says to Fox News.

Loni Anderson “embraces” being a sex symbol all her life

She continues, “But you know, I had this discussion with Ann-Margret. Will there ever be a time when our names won’t be followed by “bombshell” or “sex symbol?” It becomes a part of your name. And you know, I’d never thought I would reach that point. I was so serious. I was doing “Fiddler on the Roof” for 53 weeks on tour. I never thought I would be Loni Anderson, sex symbol.”

“But I embrace it. I think I was lucky enough to have been able to play so many different things and sex symbol was a part of it. I took whatever my career threw at me. So I embrace it. And my granddaughters think it’s a hoot!”

At 75 years old, Anderson is still active as ever and on the move. When asked what has kept her going as a performer, she says, “I’m always looking to have a good time. And I love acting. Actors never retire because we love it so much. It becomes your life, your joy. Comedy is my favorite. I’m always looking to do something different and comedy attracts me the most. I want to do something that challenges me.”