Actress Shelley Anderson, known for her role as receptionist Billie jo Bradley on the 1970s sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati,” has died at the age of 75. The news was announced by her family on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, according to reports from Sky News Arabia.
Anderson passed away surrounded by loved ones, the family statement confirmed. No specific cause of death was disclosed.
Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on January 27, 1948, Shelley Anderson began her career participating in local beauty pageants before relocating to Los Angeles in the mid-1970s. She famously altered her natural brown hair color to the blonde that became her signature look.
Anderson’s television credits include appearances on popular shows such as “The Bob Newhart Show,” “Police Story,” “The Unbelievable Hulk,” “The Love Boat,” and “Threes Company.” She auditioned for the role of Chrissy Snow on “Threes Company,” but the part ultimately went to Suzanne Somers.
Her breakthrough role came in 1978 when she was cast as billie Jo Bradley in “WKRP in Cincinnati,” alongside jennifer Marlowe (played by Jan Smithers).Anderson reportedly persuaded producers to allow her to portray a character who defied the stereotypical “dumb blonde” trope. Billie Jo was depicted as a sharp, resourceful, and autonomous receptionist who often outshone her male colleagues, even saving the station from financial ruin.
“WKRP in Cincinnati” ran for four seasons on CBS, from 1978 to 1982, and earned Anderson two Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, in 1979 and 1980. The show, created by Hugh Wilson, became a cultural touchstone for it’s satirical portrayal of radio station life.
Throughout her 40-year career, Anderson appeared in six television series, seven feature films, and 19 television movies, as well as two short series. She authored an autobiography, “My Life in High Heels,” which became a bestseller. Her film credits include “Death Valley” (1979) and “Hysteria” (1983). She was briefly married to actor Bert reynolds from 1979 to 1983, a union that garnered significant media attention. The couple reportedly met through a mutual friend, and their divorce was finalized after six years of marriage.