Award-winning actress Loni Anderson began her acting career in her early twenties when she made her debut in the 1966 film Nevada Smith. After another decade of seeking roles, and being in the background, Loni caught ABC’s attention after guest-starring as Susan Walters in Three’s Company.
She was then offered her breakthrough role as the sultry receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP in Cincinnati. “I think women loved the fact I was sexy and smart. I know it sounds crazy to people today, but in 1978, when we came on, not many women were doing both in comedy,” she once said, and true to her words, Loni still remains gorgeous as a 78-year-old.
Loni Anderson looks hot as ever
Loni has maintained her relevance in the entertainment industry over the years, although she has been more picky about her roles. She has also worked with the National Lung Health Education Program and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) organizations after losing both parents to the disease and seeing her son imitate a smoking TV character. “My son was probably 10; that’s the age where you’re looking at TV or movies, and you’re kind of wanting to emulate your hero,” she explained.
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Although Loni looks great for her age, she admitted to only taking fitness seriously in her thirties. “I could eat donuts and malted milk balls and didn’t gain a pound because genetics was on my side. I was an unfit skinny person,” she confessed. Now, she leads a more active life with “cardio three times a week, and also weight training. I walk a lot — I don’t run because of a back injury. I lifted a rock and ruptured a disk in the past.”
Loni’s secrets to ageless beauty
Loni puts more effort into her diet, which consists primarily of fruits and greens. She also avoids anything that comes “in a can or box,” and has completely eliminated red meat from her diet. “I’m eating a version of the Mediterranean and Paleo Diets, do eat some chicken and fish, lots of fruits and vegetables,” she told Parade, adding that she also indulges on occasion with snacks and candy bars.
Although most women advocate being seen beyond physical qualities, Loni does not mind her sex symbol status and wears the tag proudly. “I think I was lucky enough to have been able to play so many different things, and sex symbol was a part of it,” she once stated. “I took whatever my career threw at me. So I embrace it.” For Loni, life is about enjoying each day and “putting yourself out there while you’re looking forward to what’s going to happen next week.”
