Loretta Swit, the Emmy-winning actress best known for her portrayal of Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the acclaimed television series “M*A*S*H,” died Friday at her home in New York City. She was 87.
Swit’s publicist Harlan Boll confirmed she died of suspected natural causes just after midnight Friday, according to a police report. The actress appeared in 240 of the series’ 251 episodes during its 11-season run from 1972 to 1983, making her one of only two actors, along with Alan Alda, to appear in both the pilot and series finale.
Born Loretta Jane Szwed on November 4, 1937, in Passaic, New Jersey, to Polish immigrant parents, Swit trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City before beginning her career in touring productions. She arrived in Hollywood in 1969 and quickly landed guest roles on series including “Hawaii Five-O,” “Mission: Impossible,” “Gunsmoke,” and “Bonanza.”
Her breakthrough came in 1972 when she was cast as the disciplined Army nurse on “M*A*S*H,” which was based on Robert Altman’s 1970 film and followed the staff of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. The show’s finale on February 28, 1983, attracted more than 100 million viewers, making it the most-watched episode of any scripted television series in history.
Swit won two Emmy Awards for her performance and received 10 Emmy nominations throughout the show’s run, along with four Golden Globe nominations. Her character evolved significantly from the one-dimensional figure portrayed in Altman’s original film, transforming from a stereotypical antagonist into a complex, professional woman. Swit actively worked with the show’s writers to develop the character beyond the “Hot Lips” nickname, which she viewed as disrespectful to real servicewomen.
The actress said that she approached her character development methodically. She indicated that around the second or third year, she decided to portray Houlihan as a real person in an intelligent fashion, even if it meant compromising comedic moments. Swit maintained that her character was in constant flux and never stopped developing throughout the series.
Alda, her longtime co-star, remembered Swit on social media, describing her as a supremely talented actor who deserved all her Emmy nominations and wins. He noted that she worked diligently to show the writing staff how they could transform the character from a sexist stereotype into a real person with genuine feelings and ambitions. Alda recalled, “Loretta made the most of her time here.”
Beyond “M*A*S*H,” Swit maintained an active career in television, film, and theater. She appeared in more than 25 television movies, including “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” “The Execution,” and “A Killer Among Friends.” Her film credits included “Freebie and the Bean” with James Caan and Alan Arkin, “S.O.B.” with Julie Andrews, and “Race With the Devil” with Peter Fonda.
Swit made her Broadway debut in 1975 in “Same Time, Next Year” opposite Ted Bessell and later starred in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.” She also played the title role in “Mame” and appeared in more than 1,200 performances of “Shirley Valentine,” earning the Sarah Siddons Award, Chicago’s most prestigious theater honor.
The actress was a passionate animal rights activist who established the SwitHeart Animal Alliance to prevent cruelty and end animal suffering. She created an art book featuring 65 full-color paintings and drawings, with proceeds benefiting animal causes. She also launched a fragrance line where all profits supported her animal welfare initiatives.
Swit married actor Dennis Holahan in 1983 after meeting him when he guest-starred on “M*A*S*H.” They divorced in 1995, and she never had children. She remained close to veterans throughout her life and frequently appeared at events honoring military service members.
Jamie Farr, who played Corporal Klinger on “M*A*S*H,” called Swit his adopted sister and described their friendship as beginning from his first day on set, which was supposed to be a single appearance. Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center, praised Swit’s portrayal as groundbreaking, noting how she brought heart, humor, and strength to one of television comedy’s most enduring roles.