R.I.P. Loretta Swit: ‘M*A*S*H’ Star “Hot Lips” Dead at 87
Share this @internewscast.com

Loretta Swit, best known for lighting up the screen as the sharp-tongued Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on M*A*S*H*, has died. She was 87.

Swit passed away shortly after midday on Friday at her residence in New York City, as confirmed by her representative. Although her death is believed to have been due to natural causes, the final confirmation from the coroner’s office is still awaited.

Swit spent over ten years starring in M*A*S*H*, a renowned comedy-drama set during the Korean War, featuring alongside Alan Alda, Jamie Farr, and Larry Linville. She was one of only two original actors — with Alda being the other — who remained with the show for its entire 11-season duration. The show’s monumental 2.5-hour conclusion in 1983 continues to hold the record for being the most-viewed scripted television episode in U.S. history, attracting over 100 million viewers.

Swit infused humor, complexity, and depth into the character of Houlihan — a role that began as a simple antagonist but grew into a representation of strength, sensitivity, and intelligence. Her performance garnered her two Emmy awards, 10 nominations, and four Golden Globe nominations.

Her rep noted that Swit “portrayed the quick-witted Maj. Margaret Houlihan on one of TV’s most honored series and collected a number of awards for the M*A*S*H role, including two Emmys.”

Born Loretta Jane Szwed in Passaic, New Jersey, on November 4, 1937, Swit came from a Polish immigrant family and trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. After honing her skills on stage and in touring productions, she started landing TV guest spots in the late ’60s on shows like Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, and Hawaii Five-O. Then came 1972 — and with it, M*A*S*H, her breakout moment.

Swit’s screen career went far beyond the 4077th. She starred in more than 25 TV movies, including the original Cagney and Lacey pilot as Chris Cagney — though she didn’t go on to the series due to her M*A*S*H commitment. Other standout roles included Games Mother Never Taught You, A Killer Among Friends, Hell Hath No Fury, and The Execution.

The stage was another of Swit’s passions. She made her Broadway debut in Same Time, Next Year in 1975, and later starred in over 1,200 performances of Shirley Valentine, a role that earned her the Sarah Siddons Award, “the most prestigious theater award in Chicago,” according to her team.

She even leaned into her musical side with TV specials like The Muppet Show and It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman, and took on film roles in Freebie and the Bean (with James Caan and Alan Arkin), S.O.B. (with Julie Andrews), Race with the Devil (with Peter Fonda), and Forrest Warrior (with Chuck Norris), among others.

Off-screen, Swit was just as fierce — especially when it came to animals. Her love of wildlife led her to host a Discovery Channel series, Those Incredible Animals, which aired in more than 30 countries. She later founded the SwitHeart Animal Alliance, which her rep described as working “to prevent cruelty and end animal suffering, to promote and cooperate with numerous nonprofit organizations and programs that protect, rescue, train, and care for animals and preserve their habitat.”

She even launched a perfume and coloring book to help raise money for the cause — because when Loretta Swit put her heart into something, she went all in.

(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&appId=823934954307605&version=v2.8”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Chicago braces for deadly July 4 weekend as Fox News analyst takes action in brother's unsolved murder

Chicago Prepares for Dangerous July 4th Weekend While Fox News Analyst Acts on Brother’s Unsolved Murder Case

Chicago is preparing for another potentially violent 4th of July weekend. Fox…
Chicago protesters oppose ICE, Alejandro Orellana charges; Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi introduces bill to limit military deployments

Chicago Demonstrators Rally Against ICE; Alejandro Orellana Faces Charges; Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Proposes Legislation to Restrict Military Deployments

CHICAGO (WLS) — Another protest against ICE got underway in downtown Chicago…
Joey Chestnut gives behind-the-scenes look at 'hungry' prep for Nathan's return

Joey Chestnut Shares Insider Details on His ‘Hungry’ Training for Nathan’s Comeback

Celebrated competitive eater Joey Chestnut discusses his experiences and shares insights with…
DHS arrests 'worst of the worst' migrants in LA despite rioters, pols pushing back

DHS Detains ‘Most Dangerous’ Migrants in LA Amidst Opposition from Protesters and Politicians

As Los Angeles turned into a turbulent hotspot in opposition to President…
Russia Ukraine | Russian drone strike on Odesa kills married couple, injures 17 people, Ukraine says

Russian Drone Strike on Odesa Results in Fatalities and Injuries, Reports Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine — Overnight, Russian drones targeted the southern Ukrainian port city…
Trump does UN’s job on world stage, leads on peace while secretary-general earns more at anti-US body

Trump Takes Charge on Global Peace Efforts, Outshines UN Secretary-General at Anti-US Organization

The recent success of President Donald Trump in negotiating a ceasefire agreement…
Suspected ICE facility attackers arrested in blue city, charged with assaulting federal officers

Arrests Made in Alleged Attack on ICE Facility in Progressive City; Suspects Charged with Assaulting Federal Officers

Several individuals charged with participating in a violent riot near a U.S.…
California cuts back illegal immigrants access to healthcare, cutting into $12B deficit

California Reduces Healthcare Access for Undocumented Immigrants to Address $12 Billion Deficit

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, on Friday, signed a budget that scales back…
Chicago-area ICE arrests challenged in court as 'unlawful,' Department of Justice contends enforcement follows US law

Court Battles Over Chicago ICE Arrests: Claim of Illegality vs. DOJ Assurance of Lawful Enforcement

CHICAGO (WLS) — The ABC7 I-Team got a closer look at what…
Investigation into Florida condo collapse is expected to finish in 2026

Florida Condo Collapse Probe Projected to Conclude in 2026

More than four years following the collapse of a condominium in Florida…
The Big, Beautiful Bill Has Some Suprising Benefits for Alaska

Alaska Reaps Unexpected Benefits from the New Legislation

The expansive, ambitious Bill is currently navigating its way through Congress, and…
Marco Rubio holds first meeting with families of hostages held by Hamas

Marco Rubio Meets with Families of Hostages Captured by Hamas for the First Time

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio conducted his initial official meeting in…