Loretta Swit, the iconic Emmy-winning actress known for her role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the beloved television series “M.A.S.H.”, has died at the age of 87, a representative confirmed.
Swit died Friday at her home in New York City, likely due to natural causes, as stated by her publicist.
American audiences came to know and love Swit during the 11-season run of “M.A.S.H.”, which aired from 1972 to 1983. Swit became an enduring presence on the show, appearing in all but 11 episodes.
Throughout her career on “M.A.S.H.”, Swit garnered ten Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of the tough yet compassionate head nurse, winning the award in 1980 and 1982.
Before her success on “M.A.S.H.”, the New Jersey native paved her way in the entertainment industry as a singer and stage actor. She also appeared in a number of notable television series such as “Gunsmoke”, “Hawaii Five-O”, and “Mission: Impossible”.
Swit’s breakout role came when she was cast in “M.A.S.H.”, following the character previously portrayed by Sally Kellerman in the original movie.
The dynamics of Houlihan’s character evolved throughout the series, particularly regarding the emotional toll of war. While maintaining a rivalry with various cast members including Alan Alda’s Hawkeye Pierce and Wayne Rogers’ Trapper John McIntyre, the series finale featured a memorable moment—a kiss between Swit’s character and Alda’s.
The monumental CBS finale, aired on February 28, 1983, captivated over 100 million viewers, establishing it as the most-watched episode of any scripted series in television history.
Critically acclaimed, “M.A.S.H.” was ranked 25th in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the greatest TV shows of all time and secured 34th place in Time Out’s ranking. The series was honored with the Impact Award at the 2009 TV Land Awards and received a Peabody Award in 1975 for its profound comedic commentary on the nature of war.
Swit was born to Polish immigrant parents and took her first steps toward an acting career by enrolling in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. After years of touring productions, she made her Hollywood debut in 1969, eventually landing key roles in various series before becoming a household name with “M.A.S.H.” in 1972.
Beyond her acting career, Swit remained passionate about theater, returning to Broadway in productions such as “Same Time, Next Year” in 1975 and “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” in 1986. Her most recent stage performances included roles in “Amorous Crossing” in 2010 and “Mame” in 2003.
Although mostly retired, Swit remained an ardent supporter of animal advocacy causes. She served as a spokeswoman for the U.S. Humane Society and founded the SwitHeart Animal Alliance to promote animal welfare and prevent cruelty.
In honor of her legacy, donations can be made to the SwitHeart Animal Alliance or Actors & Others for Animals.
The Associated Press and City News Service contributed to this report.
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