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Mint
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
MASH actor Loretta Swit dies at 87: Who was she?
Actor Loretta Swit, best known for playing Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the hit TV show MASH, died at the age of 87, reported The Hollywood Reporter citing her publicist. Her death, at her home in Manhattan, was announced by her publicist, who said she was believed to have died of natural causes. Loretta Swit's publicist, Harlan Boll, said the actress passed away just after midnight on Friday at her home in New York City. The cause is believed to be natural, according to a police report. Born Loretta Jane Szwed on November 4, 1937, in Passaic, New Jersey, she studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. She moved to Los Angeles in 1970, where she began landing television roles. In her later years, she focused on animal rights and returned to the screen in 2019 in a faith-based film Play the Flute. She was married to actor Dennis Holahan, whom she met on MASH*, from 1983 to 1995. Actress Loretta Swit attends the 2018 Farm Sanctuary on the Hudson Gala at Pier 60 on October 4, 2018 in New York City. Swit was a key part of the seminal Korean War comedy series "M*A*S*H" from the beginning to the end, appearing in 240 out of 251 episodes during its sensational 11-season run. For her role, Swit was nominated for an Emmy 10 times and won twice. Only Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye Pierce, shared the honour of appearing in both the pilot and the final episode of the series. The show sprang from an Oscar-winning 1970 film. It was aired initially in 1972 and was a hit until it finished in 1983. The comedy was set in a field hospital for the US Army during the Korean War, and starred Alan Alda as Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce. According to Reuters, the series tackled a range of issues from the tragic to the light-hearted, and was sometimes seen as a satire on US involvement in Vietnam -- a war that was still happening when it first began airing. Loretta Swit presents a tribute to "Mr. Rogers" at the 45th annual Daytime Emmy Awards on April 29, 2018, in Pasadena, Calif. The finale episode of MASH, which was aired on February 28, 1983, remains one of the most-watched television episodes in history, with nearly 106 million viewers. A kiss between Swit and Alda during that episode is often called the most expensive in TV history, due to how much ad space cost during the broadcast, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Loretta Swit also worked in films like Freebie and the Bean (1974), Race With the Devil (1975), and S.O.B. (1981). She was also known for her work on stage, including performances in The Odd Couple, Any Wednesday, and Same Time, Next Year on Broadway. Swit played a lead role in the original Cagney & Lacey pilot in 1981. However, because of her MASH* contract, she could not continue in the role when the series was picked up by CBS, as per the publication. Other movies during Swit's career included "Race With the Devil," a 1975 horror starring Peter Fonda, and 1972's "Stand Up and Be Counted" with Jacqueline Bisset.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
MASH star Loretta Swit passes away at age 87
Loretta Swit, best known for her iconic role as Major Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan on the classic TV series MASH, passed away at her New York City home on May 30 at age 87. Her representative, Harlan Boll, confirmed her time of death as 12:01 p.m., citing suspected natural causes. Swit earned critical acclaim during her 11-year run on MASH, receiving Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy from 1974 to 1983 and winning twice in 1980 and 1982. Over the series, her character evolved from a harsh antagonist to a complex, respected figure, notably highlighted in episodes like 'The Nurses' and 'Bug Out.' Born Loretta Jane Szwed in Passaic, New Jersey, Swit began performing at age seven. She trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and made her TV debut in 1969. Before MASH, she appeared in popular shows including Hawaii Five-O, Mission: Impossible, and Bonanza. Her film credits include Freebie and the Bean (1974) and Race With the Devil (1975). After MASH ended, Swit continued her acting career with TV movies such as The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and guest roles in Murder, She Wrote and Diagnosis Murder. She was also active in theater and Broadway, appearing in productions like Same Time, Next Year and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. A passionate animal rights advocate, Swit founded the SwitHeart Animal Alliance and was honored by multiple animal welfare organizations. Donations in her memory can be made to Actors & Others For Animals or the SwitHeart Animal Alliance.
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Loretta Swit, who played libido-driven Maj. ‘Hot Lips' Houlihan on ‘M*A*S*H,' dies at 87
Loretta Swit, the Emmy-winning actor best known for her time as Maj. Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan on the TV version of 'M*A*S*H,' died Friday in her New York City apartment, her representative confirmed to The Times. She was 87. Swit was found by her housekeeper around 10 a.m., according to publicist Harlan Boll, who said he had been on the phone with her at 11 p.m. local time Thursday night — 2 a.m. Friday in New York. Her doorman saw her drop something in the mail at 4 a.m. Friday, New York time, Boll said, and six hours later, she was gone. The actor — born Loretta Jane Szwed on Nov. 4, 1937, in Passaic, N.J. — loved playing Hot Lips so much that she was the only performer other than Alan Alda who stayed on the series from its pilot in 1972 through its much-watched finale in 1983. 'M*A*S*H,' set during the Korean War, was a sitcom but also more than that to Swit. 'There is, I think, an intelligence behind the humor,' she told The Times in 1977. 'The audience is huge, and they deserve to be entertained on the highest level we can achieve.' Though her portrayal of the libido-driven blond in fatigues and Army boots catapulted Swit to household-name status, she had been in acting since before her 8th birthday in stage productions and musicals in New York. She left home at 17 to work in the theater, temping at secretarial jobs while studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. A confessed workaholic, Swit moved easily from comedy to drama, acting in 'Same Time, Next Year,' 'Mame' and 'The Odd Couple' before moving to Los Angeles to star in 'M*A*S*H.' She appeared in iconic series such as 'Hawaii Five-O,' 'Mission: Impossible' and 'Mannix,' and had a productive television career until very recently. Her most recent TV appearance was as herself in the 2024 Fox tribute special 'M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television.' Her theater work was plentiful, and in addition to Broadway, off-Broadway, regional and national work, included shows in Southern California. She joined Harry Hamlin in 'One November Yankee' at the NoHo Arts Center in 2012, three years after doing a reading of the play with a different actor at the Pasadena Playhouse. 'M*A*S*H' filmed its outdoor scenes at Malibu Creek State Park, where the set was re-created for fans' enjoyment in 2008. 'It's thrilling to be honored in this way,' Swit told The Times that year. 'I think if I had to sum it up, what we're most proud of is that we made everybody come together. And I think this will also bring people together.' Swit was nominated for five Emmys for her Hot Lips role and won for supporting actress in a comedy, variety or music series in 1980 and 1982. She garnered four Golden Globe nominations for her work on 'M*A*S*H,' in the lead and supporting actress categories, but did not win. She was given a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in 1989, near what is now the home of Amoeba Music. An animal lover, Swit set up the SwitHeart Animal Alliance to prevent cruelty and end animal suffering. The alliance worked with numerous nonprofit organizations and programs to protect, rescue, train and care for animals and preserve their habitat, while raising public awareness about issues that concern domestic, farm, exotic, wild and native animals. She created an art book, 'SwitHeart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit,' which includes 65 of her full-color paintings and drawings and 22 of her photographs. Proceeds went to animal causes, and the 2016 Betty White Award from the group Actors and Others for Animals was but one of the many honors she received for her philanthropic work. Former freelance writer T.L. Stanley contributed to this report.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
From ‘hot lips' to heartfelt hero: Loretta Swit, M*A*S*H icon and animal crusader, dies at 87
AP Loretta Swit redefined the role of Major Margaret Houlihan, turning 'Hot Lips' into a powerful symbol of strength, intelligence, and compassion on and off the screen Loretta Swit, the Emmy-winning actress best known for her portrayal of Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the groundbreaking television series MASH, passed away on May 30, 2025, at her home in New York City. She was 87 years old and is believed to have died of natural causes, according to her publicist, Harlan was born on November 4, 1937, in Passaic, New Jersey, to Polish immigrant parents. Swit pursued acting against her parents' wishes, training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her early career included theater and guest roles on television series such as Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, and Hawaii Five-O. Swit's most iconic role came in 1972 when she was cast as Major Margaret Houlihan on M A S H*, a CBS series set during the Korean War. Over 11 seasons, Swit transformed Houlihan from a one-dimensional caricature into a complex, feminist role model. "Around the second or third year I decided to try to play her as a real person, in an intelligent fashion, even if it meant hurting the jokes," Swit told Suzy Kalter, author of The Complete Book of 'M A S H'. Swit's portrayal earned her two Emmy Awards and ten nominations, making her one of the longest-serving cast members alongside Alan Alda. The show's finale on February 28, 1983, attracted over 100 million viewers, making it the most-watched episode of any scripted series in television history. Beyond her acting career, Swit was a passionate animal rights advocate. She founded the SwitHeart Animal Alliance, a nonprofit organization supporting animal welfare initiatives. In 2017, she published SwitHeart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit, a book showcasing her artwork and dedication to animal causes. Swit was married to actor Dennis Holahan from 1983 to 1988 and had no children. She continued to be active in theater and advocacy work throughout her life, leaving behind a legacy that transcends her television fame.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From ‘hot lips' to heartfelt hero: Loretta Swit, M*A*S*H icon and animal crusader, dies at 87
Live Events Passionate animal advocate (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Loretta Swit, the Emmy-winning actress best known for her portrayal of Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the groundbreaking television series MASH, passed away on May 30, 2025, at her home in New York City . She was 87 years old and is believed to have died of natural causes, according to her publicist, Harlan was born on November 4, 1937, in Passaic, New Jersey, to Polish immigrant parents. Swit pursued acting against her parents' wishes, training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her early career included theater and guest roles on television series such as Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, and Hawaii most iconic role came in 1972 when she was cast as Major Margaret Houlihan on MASH*, a CBS series set during the Korean War. Over 11 seasons, Swit transformed Houlihan from a one-dimensional caricature into a complex, feminist role model."Around the second or third year I decided to try to play her as a real person, in an intelligent fashion, even if it meant hurting the jokes," Swit told Suzy Kalter, author of The Complete Book of 'MASH'.Swit's portrayal earned her two Emmy Awards and ten nominations, making her one of the longest-serving cast members alongside Alan Alda. The show's finale on February 28, 1983, attracted over 100 million viewers, making it the most-watched episode of any scripted series in television history Beyond her acting career, Swit was a passionate animal rights advocate . She founded the SwitHeart Animal Alliance, a nonprofit organization supporting animal welfare initiatives. In 2017, she published SwitHeart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit, a book showcasing her artwork and dedication to animal was married to actor Dennis Holahan from 1983 to 1988 and had no children. She continued to be active in theater and advocacy work throughout her life, leaving behind a legacy that transcends her television fame.
