Loretta Swit, best known for her role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on MASH*, has passed away at the age of 87 at her home in New York City on May 30, reportedly of natural causes.
“Hot Lips” was a beloved character for whom Swit won two Emmy awards. She appeared in 240 episodes of MASH*. Her portrayal of Major Houlihan evolved over the years, transforming from a strict antagonist to a more complex and respected character. Swit was outspoken about wanting her MASH* character to evolve beyond the “Hot Lips” stereotype. She advocated for stronger female representation, which sometimes led to creative disagreements with producers.
Loretta Swit was born Loretta Jane Szwed on November 4, 1937, in Passaic, New Jersey. She was of Polish descent, with her parents, Lester and Nellie Szwed (née Kassack), both having Polish roots. Her father worked as a salesman and upholsterer, while her mother was a film enthusiast, which helped spark Swit’s early interest in acting.
In addition to her role on the classic 1970’s sitcom, Loretta Swit had a successful career beyond MASH*, starring in TV movies, Broadway productions, and advocating for animal rights. She is best remembered as a trailblazing actress and strong female character in television.
As a dedicated animal rights activist, she was ahead of her time, which occasionally put her at odds with Hollywood norms. She was vocal about opposing fur in fashion and advocating stricter animal welfare laws, which led to heated debates in the industry.
Swit was active in theater, starring in Broadway productions such as Same Time, Next Year and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. She dedicated much of her later years to advocacy and philanthropy.
