Loretta Swit, best known for her iconic role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the classic TV comedy MASH*, has died at the age of 87.
According to her representative, Harlan Boll, Swit passed away at her New York City home on May 30. The New York police recorded her time of death as 12:01 p.m., with the cause believed to be natural, Variety reported.
Loretta Swit (November 4, 1937 – May 30, 2025) was an American actress best known for her role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the acclaimed television series MASH*. Born in Passaic, New Jersey, to Polish immigrant parents, she developed an early interest in the performing arts. Swit studied at Katharine Gibbs College and later honed her acting skills at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.
Swit’s acting career began in theater, with performances in productions like Any Wednesday and The Odd Couple. She transitioned to television with guest roles in series such as Hawaii Five-O, Gunsmoke, and Mission: Impossible. Her breakthrough came in 1972 when she was cast as Major Houlihan in MASH*, a role she played throughout the show’s 11-season run until 1983. Her portrayal earned her two Emmy Awards and multiple nominations. Swit was one of only four cast members to appear in both the pilot and the finale of the series.
Beyond MASH, Swit had a diverse career in television and theater. She appeared in TV movies like The Last Day and A Christmas Calendar, and had guest roles in shows such as The Love Boat and Murder, She Wrote. In theater, she performed in productions like Same Time, Next Year and Shirley Valentine
Swit was also a passionate animal rights activist. She supported various organizations and causes dedicated to animal welfare. In 2017, she published SwitHeart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit, a book showcasing her watercolor paintings and commitment to animal advocacy.
In her personal life, Swit was married to actor Dennis Holahan from 1983 until their divorce in 1995. She had no children.
