Loretta Swit, best known for her role as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in the beloved TV series M*A*S*H, has passed away at the age of 87. Her representative confirmed that Swit died at her home in New York on Friday, likely from natural causes, although a coroner's report is forthcoming.
Swit’s portrayal of the strong-willed Army nurse on M*A*S*H garnered her two Emmy Awards and cemented her status as a television icon. The series, focused on a mobile Army surgical hospital during the Korean War, aired for 11 seasons from 1974 to 1983, becoming one of the most celebrated shows in American television history. The series finale, which attracted an astounding 106 million viewers, remains one of the most-watched episodes in TV history.
In her memorable role as "Hot Lips," Swit captured the complexity of a tough yet vulnerable character who became known for her complicated relationship with Major Frank Burns, played by Larry Linville. M*A*S*H expertly blended humor with serious themes such as racism, sexism, and the emotional toll of war, resonating with audiences across generations.
Beyond M*A*S*H, Swit’s career spanned television, film, and theater, including acclaimed performances on Broadway in productions like "Mame" and "Same Time, Next Year." Reflecting on her craft, she once told Star magazine in 2010, "Acting is not hiding to me, it's revealing. We give you license to feel... because when you stop feeling, that's when you're dead." Tributes to her legacy continue to pour in, honoring her impact on entertainment and the hearts she touched throughout her life.
Swit’s portrayal of the strong-willed Army nurse on M*A*S*H garnered her two Emmy Awards and cemented her status as a television icon. The series, focused on a mobile Army surgical hospital during the Korean War, aired for 11 seasons from 1974 to 1983, becoming one of the most celebrated shows in American television history. The series finale, which attracted an astounding 106 million viewers, remains one of the most-watched episodes in TV history.
In her memorable role as "Hot Lips," Swit captured the complexity of a tough yet vulnerable character who became known for her complicated relationship with Major Frank Burns, played by Larry Linville. M*A*S*H expertly blended humor with serious themes such as racism, sexism, and the emotional toll of war, resonating with audiences across generations.
Beyond M*A*S*H, Swit’s career spanned television, film, and theater, including acclaimed performances on Broadway in productions like "Mame" and "Same Time, Next Year." Reflecting on her craft, she once told Star magazine in 2010, "Acting is not hiding to me, it's revealing. We give you license to feel... because when you stop feeling, that's when you're dead." Tributes to her legacy continue to pour in, honoring her impact on entertainment and the hearts she touched throughout her life.
