Loretta Swit, Beloved ‘M*A*S*H’ Star Who Played Major Margaret Houlihan, Passes Away at 87

Loretta Swit, the celebrated actress best recognized for portraying Major Margaret Houlihan in the much-lauded TV show “M*A*S*H,” passed away Friday at her New York City residence, as confirmed by her publicist. She was 87 years old.

The initial cause of death was suspected to be natural causes, according to a police report mentioned by her representative. An investigation by the coroner was underway.

Throughout her extensive career, Swit received accolades including the People’s Choice Award, Genie Award, Silver Satellite Award, Jean Golden Halo Award, Pacific Broadcasters Award, and two Emmy Awards. With a total of 10 Emmy nominations and four nominations for the Golden Globe, she most recently added her third Career Achievement Award to her list of honors.

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She teamed with some of the most memorable names in the world of entertainment, and made her Broadway debut in “Same Time, Next Year” opposite Ted Bessell and toured with two illustrious “Mames,” Susan Hayward and Celeste Holm, playing the title role of Mame herself years later in New York and Pennsylvania. She has appeared in over 1,200 performances of Shirley Valentine – a role for which she won Chicago’s most prestigious theatrical honor, the Sarah Siddons Award.