May 31, 2025 — Loretta Swit, the Emmy-winning actress who brought Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan to life on the iconic television series MASH*, passed away at her New York City home on Friday at the age of 87, likely of natural causes, according to her publicist Harlan Boll. Swit’s transformative portrayal of the complex, fiery head nurse, alongside her lifelong dedication to animal welfare and veterans’ causes, leaves an enduring legacy in entertainment and beyond.
A Star Born on Stage and Screen
Born Loretta Jane Szwed on November 4, 1937, in Passaic, New Jersey, to Polish immigrant parents, Swit’s passion for performance emerged early. She took the stage at age seven, defying her parents’ reservations about a show business career. After studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York under renowned theater director Gene Frankel, Swit honed her craft in regional theater before breaking into television.
Her defining role came in 1972 as Major Margaret Houlihan on MASH*, the CBS dramedy set in a Korean War surgical unit, adapted from Robert Altman’s 1970 film. Alongside Alan Alda, Swit was one of only two actors to appear in nearly every episode of the show’s 11-year run from 1972 to 1983, missing just 11 of its 251 episodes. Her portrayal of “Hot Lips” evolved from a caricature of military discipline and romance to a nuanced character grappling with sexism, duty, and vulnerability, earning her two Emmy Awards (1980, 1982) and nominations every year from 1974 to 1983.
Swit’s commitment to authenticity shaped the role. “Around the second or third year, I decided to play her as a real person, in an intelligent fashion, even if it meant hurting the jokes,” she told Suzy Kalter, author of The Complete Book of MASH*. A standout moment came in the season five episode “The Nurses,” where Margaret’s emotional speech about feeling ostracized by her staff revealed her depth, described by fans as “riveting and heartbreaking.”
A Groundbreaking Role
MASH* was a cultural touchstone, blending comedy and drama to address issues like PTSD, sexism, and racism. Swit’s portrayal was groundbreaking, as noted by National Comedy Center executive director Journey Gunderson: “Loretta Swit’s portrayal of Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan was groundbreaking—bringing heart, humor, and strength to one of television comedy’s most enduring roles.” Swit herself credited the show’s humor for its success, telling First For Women in 2024, “It was the humor that made the show stand out.” The series finale in 1983 drew over 100 million viewers, cementing its place in television history.
Swit’s chemistry with co-stars like Alda, Jamie Farr, and Larry Linville created a “happy set,” as she recalled in a 2020 Fox News interview. “Everybody was happy to be there,” she said, noting the camaraderie that made guest stars eager to return. Her absence from the acclaimed season four episode “The Interview” was due to her starring role in the Broadway play Same Time, Next Year from 1975 to 1976, showcasing her versatility.
Beyond MAS*H: A Multifaceted Career
Swit’s talent extended beyond MASH*. She appeared in shows like Gunsmoke, Hawaii Five-O, The Love Boat, and Murder, She Wrote, and starred in the 1981 pilot for Cagney & Lacey, though MASH* obligations prevented her from continuing. Her final film role was in Play the Flute (2019). She also shone on stage, earning praise for roles in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Shirley Valentine. In 1989, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
A Champion for Animals and Veterans
Swit’s off-screen impact was equally profound. A passionate animal rights advocate, she founded the SwitHeart Animal Alliance and published SwitHeart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit in 2016, featuring 65 of her paintings and 22 photographs, with proceeds supporting animal causes. Her work earned her the 2016 Betty White Award from Actors and Others for Animals. She also dedicated herself to veterans’ causes, drawing from her MASH* role. In 2020, she told Fox News that working at Ground Zero after 9/11 strengthened her faith, saying, “Today, we are all family.”
A Lasting Legacy
Swit’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes on X, with fans calling her “an amazing human being” and noting Margaret’s evolution as one of MASH*’s greatest arcs. “She made it believable,” one user wrote. Her warmth extended to social media, where she engaged fans with kindness, often responding personally when Twitter “was nice.”
Loretta Swit’s portrayal of Margaret Houlihan and her tireless advocacy leave an indelible mark. From a trailblazing role that reshaped television to a life dedicated to compassion, Swit’s legacy is one of heart, humor, and humanity. As one fan poignantly posted, “Farewell, Loretta. Thank you for sharing your time with us.”
