Hot Lips No More MASH Star Loretta Swit Passes Away at 87

Loretta Swit, beloved for her iconic role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the classic sitcom M*A*S*H, has passed away at the age of 87.

According to reports, Swit died peacefully of natural causes at her home in New York City on Friday, as confirmed by her publicist, Harlan Boll. Her passing marks the end of an era for fans who cherished her portrayal of the strong-willed and evolving Army nurse.

A Legacy Forged in Laughter and Heartbreak

Swit's portrayal of "Hot Lips" Houlihan earned her two Emmy Awards and a remarkable presence in **240 out of 251 episodes** of M*A*S*H. She was nominated for an Emmy every year the show aired, except for its inaugural season, a testament to her consistent and captivating performance.

One of only two actors, alongside Alan Alda (Hawkeye Pierce), to appear in both the pilot and the series finale, Swit's character became a symbol of female strength and resilience on television. The M*A*S*H finale, which aired on February 28, 1983, remains a landmark in television history, drawing a staggering **106 million viewers**. The now famous 35-second kiss between Swit and Alda in that finale is rumored to be the most expensive in television history, due to ad revenue.

Beyond "Hot Lips": A Versatile Career

While M*A*S*H undoubtedly defined a significant portion of her career, Swit enjoyed success in various other roles, including:

• Film: Freebie and the Bean (1974), Race With the Devil (1975), BoardHeads (1998), and the hilarious Polly Reed in S.O.B. (1981).
• Television: The original pilot for Cagney & Lacey (1981).
• Theater: The Odd Couple, Any Wednesday, Same Time, Next Year, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

A Champion for Animal Welfare

Beyond her acting accomplishments, Loretta Swit was a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She dedicated considerable time and resources to organizations such as Actors and Others for Animals and The Wildlife Waystation. In 2016, she founded the **SwitHeart Animal Alliance**, a nonprofit committed to ending animal cruelty. Swit even used proceeds from her artwork to further her animal welfare efforts.

• Hosted the documentary series Those Incredible Animals.
• Co-hosted the PBS special Saving the Wildlife with M*A*S*H co-star Mike Farrell.
• Testified before Congress against "crush videos."

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born Loretta Jane Szwed on November 4, 1937, in Passaic, New Jersey, Swit honed her craft at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. She moved to Los Angeles in 1970, securing roles in popular series like Mission: Impossible, Mannix, Gunsmoke, and Hawaii Five-O, which ultimately paved the way for her casting in M*A*S*H.

Remembering a Television Icon

Loretta Swit's impact on television and her dedication to animal welfare will be deeply missed. Her portrayal of Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan remains a testament to her talent and her ability to breathe life into complex and relatable characters. She once shared that the best compliment she received was a telegram from a fan which read “Dear M*A*S*H folk: You made me laugh. You made me cry. You made me feel. Thank you." That indeed is one hell of a legacy, and one she leaves behind for all of us.

Donations in her memory can be made to Actors & Others for Animals or the SwitHeart Animal Alliance.

Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/loretta-swit-dead-mash-hot-lips-houlihan-1236233958/