Loretta Swit, the Emmy-winning actress who brought Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan to life on the long-running sitcom M*A*S*H, has died at the age of 87.
Her publicist, Harlan Boll, confirmed that she passed away early Friday morning at her home in New York City, likely of natural causes.
Swit’s maid discovered her body around 10:00AM according to Boll, The Sun reports.
Authorities currently believe her death to be of natural causes, although an official cause has not yet been confirmed.
A Beloved Star With a Trailblazing Role
Swit became a household name through her role on M*A*S*H, where she portrayed Major Houlihan in 240 of the show’s 251 episodes from its premiere in 1972 to its finale in 1983.
Her performance earned her 10 Emmy nominations and two wins, one in 1980 and another in 1982.
Alan Alda, who starred as Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce, paid tribute to his co-star on X: “Loretta was a supremely talented actor. She deserved all her 10 Emmy nominations and her 2 wins. But more than acting her part, she created it. She worked hard in showing the writing staff how they could turn the character from a one joke sexist stereotype into a real person — with real feelings and ambitions.
"We celebrated the day the script came out listing her character not as Hot Lips, but as Margaret. Loretta made the most of her time here.”
From One-Dimensional to Groundbreaking
Initially introduced as a comedic foil allied with Frank Burns, Houlihan evolved under Swit’s influence into one of television’s most emotionally nuanced characters.
“She was unique at the time and in her time, which was the ’50s, when the Korean War was happening,” Swit once explained. “And she became even more unique, I think, because we allowed her to continue to grow — we watched her evolve. I don’t think that’s ever been done in quite that way.”
Some of her standout episodes included 'Mail Call Again', 'Bug Out', and 'The Nurses', where viewers got to see Houlihan’s professional integrity and emotional vulnerability.
“Hot Lips gave the nurses a speech telling them how lonely she was because she was in charge and that’s the way it was, so she couldn’t really have any friends,” Swit recalled, per Variety. “Her marriage and her divorce changed her. Her affair with Hawkeye in ‘Comrades in Arms’ changed both characters, so that they were never really rivals again.”
Swit reflected on the impact of M*A*S*H, recalling a telegram from a fan: “It said, ‘Dear M*A*S*H folk: You made me laugh. You made me cry. You made me feel. Thank you.’ I’ve never forgotten that. That’s one hell of a legacy.”
Early Life and Career Highlights
Born Loretta Jane Szwed in Passaic, New Jersey, on November 4, 1937, to Polish immigrant parents, Swit was passionate about performing from a young age.
She made her stage debut at just seven years old and trained as a singer at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She later studied acting under Gene Frankel in Manhattan.
Her breakthrough came in 1970 with guest roles in Mission: Impossible, Mannix, and Gunsmoke, followed by multiple appearances in Hawaii Five-O. In 1971, a guest role on Cade’s County led to her casting on M*A*S*H.
On film, Swit starred in movies like Stand Up and Be Counted, Race with the Devil, and S.O.B. She was also featured in the 1975 TV special Rickles and appeared in several made-for-TV films including The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and The Execution.
In 1981, Swit appeared in the pilot of Cagney & Lacey as Christine Lacey but was unable to continue with the role due to her M*A*S*H contract.
She continued working through the '80s and '90s, guest-starring on The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, and Diagnosis Murder, with her final TV role airing in 1998. She made a brief return to film in 2019 with Play the Flute after a 21-year acting hiatus.
Swit was also no stranger to the stage. She toured in productions of Any Wednesday, The Odd Couple, Mame, and The Vagina Monologues. Her Broadway credits include Same Time, Next Year and The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
Passion for Animals
Outside of acting, Swit was a devoted animal rights activist. She founded the SwitHeart Animal Alliance, which raises funds and awareness for animal welfare. Her dedication earned her honors including the Betty White Award from Actors and Others for Animals.
Donations in her memory can be made to the SwitHeart Animal Alliance or Actors & Others for Animals.
Personal Life and Legacy
Swit was married to actor Dennis Holahan from 1983 until their divorce in 1995. She never remarried.
The legacy she leaves behind spans generations of viewers who grew up watching her portray one of television’s most iconic and complex female characters.
“She was the head nurse, and her ambition was to be the best damn nurse in Korea, and I tried to help her achieve that,” Swit once said of Major Houlihan. “That woman was so lonely, and she was trying to do such a good job. And nobody appreciated her.”
Swit’s career — and her character’s evolution — redefined the portrayal of women in television comedy and drama alike. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in TV history.
Our thoughts go out to Swit's family, friends, and fans at this time.