Loretta Swit, Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on ‘M*A*S*H,’ Dies at 87

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The renowned actress and advocate for animals, Loretta Swit, who gained fame for her groundbreaking portrayal of the disciplined Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the hit CBS sitcom M*A*S*H, has passed away at the age of 87.

As stated in a police report, Swit passed away shortly after midnight on a Friday, reportedly due to natural causes, at her residence in New York City, as confirmed by her representative.

Swit bagged two Emmy awards for her exceptional portrayal of the Army nurse character. She was nominated ten times, missing out only in the first season, and featured in 240 out of the show’s total 251 episodes over its extraordinary 11-year run.

Or simpler:

Swit won two Emmys for her outstanding performance as an Army nurse. She was nominated ten times across the series’ 11 seasons, appearing in 240 out of the 251 episodes.

In the TV show M*A*S*H, Swit, like Alan Alda as Hawkeye Pierce, was one of the two actors who appeared in both the initial episode and the final episode of the series, having been present since its inception.

The finale broadcasted on February 28, 1983, garnered an unprecedented viewership of approximately 106 million people, while a prolonged kiss between Swit and Alda within that episode has been deemed the costliest in television history due to its duration and high ad revenue per minute.

In the 1950s, during the era of the Korean War, Swit’s Houlihan stood out as an exceptional and strong female character on television. As Swit stated in a 2004 interview for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television, “She was truly unique for her time.

She stood out all the more, it seemed, since we let her develop freely – we observed her transforming. I’m not sure anyone has taken such an approach before.

Following the success of her role in ‘M*A*S*H’, Swit showcased her talent in various films such as ‘Freebie and the Bean’ (1974), ‘Race With the Devil’ (1975) and ‘BoardHeads’ (1998). She also brought laughter to the screen with her portrayal of Polly Reed, a character reminiscent of Sue Mengers, in Blake Edwards’ Hollywood satire ‘S.O.B.’ (1981).

In 1981, Swit initially worked alongside Tyne Daly in the pilot for “Cagney & Lacey.” However, due to contractual commitments with “M*A*S*H,” she was unable to carry on when the police series was officially commissioned by CBS a year later. Instead, Sharon Gless stepped into her character’s shoes.

In the world of theater, Swit was cast as one of the quirky Pigeon sisters during the Los Angeles production of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple,” where Don Rickles and Ernest Borgnine played the mismatched roommates.

1967 saw me starring in a nationwide tour of “Any Wednesday” alongside Gardner McKay. Fast-forward eight years, and I graced the Broadway stage for the first time with Ted Bessell (from “That Girl”) in “Same Time, Next Year”. Additionally, I performed on Broadway in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”.

Loretta Swit hails from Passaic, New Jersey, where she was born on November 4, 1937. After honing her skills, she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Later, she gained experience by performing in various productions.

In 1970, Swit relocated to Los Angeles and started appearing on TV shows like “Mission: Impossible,” “Mannix,” “Gunsmoke,” and “Hawaii Five-O.” She also starred in the feminist film titled “Stand Up and Be Counted” (1972). These roles eventually caught the attention of Fox, leading to her being considered for the role in “M*A*S*H,” a show they produced.

She once played a guest role in the first episode of “Cade’s County,” a CBS series starring Glenn Ford, back in 1971. Unfortunately, the show didn’t last long, but she found the part to be fantastic. It seemed that both network executives and Fox were already familiar with her, and when the opportunity arose, they immediately thought of her for the role.

Swit consistently encouraged Houlihan to develop both emotionally and intellectually. She ended her relationship with Frank Burns, whom she called the “lipless wonder,” and instead chose to marry a soldier that would make her feel proud (Lt. Col. Donald Penobscott, but their marriage didn’t last long). In the fifth season episode titled “The Nurses,” Houlihan showed her vulnerability by revealing it to those she supervised.

In the account Swit shared, she was speaking about a head nurse who aspired to be the top nurse in Korea, and I aimed to aid her in reaching that goal. However, in “The Nurses,” Houlihan’s complex relationship with authority is highlighted when, during an impactful speech, she challenges her subordinates for excluding her from their work.

The woman was incredibly lonely and strived diligently, yet no one seemed to acknowledge her efforts,” Swit reminisced during an oral history for THR on the show’s 35th anniversary.

[Reynolds, the show’s executive producer] phoned me the day after filming, stating they had reviewed the daily footage and my scene was the last one shown. When the lights were turned on, everyone seemed to be sniffling, she recalled. He requested the projectionist to play the scene again. The lights dimmed and they watched it once more. Upon the lights coming back up, people were still crying. He addressed the group, ‘Was that the best thing you’ve ever seen?’

Swift managed to infuse such impactful scenes with her character consistently across the series. “I was given the opportunity to evolve,” she explained, “instead of returning to where I was prior to when this event occurred in her life.

From the outset, the group was closely bonded, and filming the final scenes brought about strong emotions. A particularly heartfelt instance occurs when Swit and Harry Morgan (Col. Sherman Potter) bid farewell to each other.

In an interview with THR, I shared that rehearsing was nearly impossible for me. There he was, the man I deeply admire, and I had to express my feelings by saying, “You, my dearest, will always be engraved in my memory,” without letting emotions take over. But I couldn’t then, and I can’t now either. [Morgan passed away in 2011.] It wasn’t just lines from a script. Every word I spoke held the weight of truth.

In 1988, Swit was the initial M*A*S*H cast member to travel to Korea. At this time, she hosted the syndicated documentary titled “The Korean War — The Untold Story.” This documentary incorporated interviews with American veterans and combat footage, which were aired alongside the 35th anniversary of the truce that marked the end of the conflict.

Beyond her work in acting, Swit was deeply committed to animal welfare and held various roles. She served on the boards of Actors for Animals and The Wildlife Waystation, and also represented the Humane Society as a spokesperson. In 2016, she established SwitHeart Animal Alliance, a non-profit organization with the goal of eradicating animal cruelty. Proceeds from her original artworks were utilized to raise funds for this cause.

Or:

Swit’s career in acting was not all she had going on. She actively supported animal welfare and held key positions such as serving on the boards of Actors for Animals, The Wildlife Waystation, and being a representative for the Humane Society. In 2016, she founded SwitHeart Animal Alliance, an organization aimed at ending animal cruelty. Funds were raised through proceeds from her original artwork.

Or:

Swit’s passion for acting was only one part of her life. She was actively involved in supporting animal welfare, serving on the boards of Actors and Others for Animals, The Wildlife Waystation, and representing the Humane Society as a spokesperson. In 2016, she established SwitHeart Animal Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to eliminating animal cruelty. Proceeds from her original artwork were used to raise funds for this cause.

In 1992, Swit additionally served as the host for the cable documentary series titled “Those Incredible Animals.” Furthermore, he collaborated with Mike Farrell (B.J. Hunnicut), a co-star from M*A*S*H, to present the 1986 PBS special “Saving the Wildlife.” This broadcast showcased initiatives by Jane Goodall, Brigitte Bardot, and Prince Philip aimed at preserving endangered species.

In 1999, Swit was honored as ‘Woman of the Year’ by both the Animal Protection Institute and the International Fund for Animal Welfare. She appeared before Congress to advocate against the creation of “crush videos,” which involve the cruel on-camera crushing of insects and small animals.

She had been an integral part of Chicago’s theater scene, where she performed the solo play “Shirley Valentine” over a thousand times. In 1991, she was recognized with the Sarah Siddons Award for her significant contributions to the stage. Later, in 2003, she joined the touring cast of “The Vagina Monologues.

In that very year, she took center stage in a North Carolina performance of “Mame.” Previously, she had shone as Agnes Gooch in Las Vegas, following her time as an understudy for the Broadway production led by Angela Lansbury, which she joined in 1968.

Back in 1994, my career took an exciting turn when I had the honor of appearing on “Murder, She Wrote” alongside the legendary Angela Lansbury. As a fan girl at heart, I penned two letters in my life – one to her and another to Robert Mitchum. Do you know what struck me about Angela? She was simply mesmerizing when she played the role of Mame. Fast forward to a CBS event years later, I tried to share a memory with her but got only as far as saying, “You might not remember this, but when I was in New York…” Before I could continue, she interrupted me and said, “I still have that letter.

A skillful performer who began dance lessons in her youth, Swit additionally showcased her talents on ‘The Muppet Show’ and various musical TV productions. Furthermore, she was a frequent participant in game shows such as ‘Match Game’, ‘Hollywood Squares’, and ‘The $10,000 Pyramid’.

In the year 2019, following a 21-year break, she made her comeback on the big screen with the faith-based movie titled “Play the Flute“, which revolves around a young community group.

From 1983 to their divorce in 1995, Swit was wedded to actor Dennis Holahan, whom she encountered on the film set of M*A*S*H.

Discussing the lasting influence of the series that catapulted her to fame, Swit shared a message from a fan as a testament. “The telegram read, ‘Dear M*A*S*H team: You made me laugh, you made me cry, you made me feel. Thank you.’ This sentiment has always stayed with me,” she expressed. “Such an impact is a remarkable legacy.

Duane Byrge contributed to this report.

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2025-05-30 21:55