Loretta Swit, best known for her role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on MASH, has died at 87. She passed away at her New York City home on May 30, reportedly of natural causes.
Born in Passaic, New Jersey, to Polish immigrant parents, Swit studied at Katharine Gibbs College and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She began her career in theater, later appearing in TV shows like Hawaii Five-O, Gunsmoke, and Mission: Impossible. Her breakthrough came in 1972 with MASH, where she starred for 11 seasons, earning two Emmy Awards and appearing in both the pilot and finale.
Swit also appeared in TV movies (The Last Day, A Christmas Calendar) and stage productions (Same Time, Next Year, Shirley Valentine). A dedicated animal rights activist, she published SwitHeart in 2017, showcasing her watercolors and advocacy.
She was married to actor Dennis Holahan from 1983 to 1995 and had no children.