Loretta Swit, Star of M*A*S*H, Passes Away at Age 87

Published: Friday, May 30, 2025 at 8:34 pm

Loretta Swit, Beloved "Hot Lips" of M*A*S*H, Dies at 87

Loretta Swit, the Emmy-winning actress best known for her iconic role as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the hit television series *M*A*S*H*, has passed away at the age of 87. Swit died on Friday at her home in New York City of suspected natural causes, her publicist confirmed.

Swit's portrayal of the tough-but-vulnerable head nurse earned her widespread acclaim, including two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series in 1980 and 1982. She was nominated for a total of 10 Emmys throughout her time on *M*A*S*H*, appearing in 240 out of the 251 episodes.

The series, a comedic drama set during the Korean War, was a cultural phenomenon. The show's finale, "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen," remains one of the most-watched scripted TV episodes of all time, drawing an audience of 105 million viewers. Swit herself considered the finale "the jewel of the crown."

Beyond *M*A*S*H*, Swit had a prolific career, with guest appearances on shows like *Gunsmoke*, *Hawaii Five-O*, *Mission: Impossible*, *Murder, She Wrote*, and *The Love Boat*. She also appeared in several films and was an active member of the theater community, receiving the Sarah Siddons Award in 1991. Swit was also a passionate animal rights activist and a vegetarian for many years before becoming a vegan in 1981. She was born Loretta Jane Szwed on November 4, 1937, in Passaic, New Jersey.

Keywords: Loretta Swit, M*A*S*H, Hot Lips Houlihan, actress, death, obituary, Emmy, Korean War, television, TV, Goodbye, Farewell and Amen, Passaic, New Jersey, Dennis Holahan, animal rights, vegan, theater, Sarah Siddons Award

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