M*A*S*H Star Loretta Swit Dies at 87: Emmy-Winning 'Hot Lips' Houlihan Remembered

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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Loretta Swit’s Lasting Impact on Television

Loretta Swit wasn’t just a familiar face from TV. For anyone who grew up watching CBS in the '70s or '80s, she became a household name—her sharp wit and steadfast authority as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on MASH left an indelible mark on the small screen. Swit passed away on May 30, 2025, at her New York City home, ending a life that shaped more than a decade of American television. She died of natural causes, her representative confirmed, at the age of 87.

Swit’s portrayal of Margaret Houlihan turned a character that could have faded into the background into something iconic. Joining the “M*A*S*H” cast at its launch in 1972, she stayed all the way through to its final bow in 1983. By then, the Vietnam War had ended, but the show's mix of gallows humor and raw humanity still hit home for millions. When the last episode aired, more than one out of every three Americans tuned in—the show’s finale drew over 100 million viewers, still the highest number for a scripted episode. When people talk about the magic of “M*A*S*H,” Swit’s name is always in the mix.

From Humble Beginnings to Emmy Triumphs

Before she ever stepped onto the set of “M*A*S*H,” Loretta Jane Szwed—she later adopted the stage name Swit—grew up in Passaic, New Jersey. Born in 1937, her first ambitions had little to do with acting. She trained as a dancer and dreamed of joining the Rockettes, briefly trying out for the famous troupe before switching gears. Like plenty of young hopefuls, she took on day jobs: clerical work here, odd gigs there. But inside, she knew she belonged on stage or in front of the camera. Swit studied acting in Manhattan, learning from respected teacher Gene Frankel, and she soon found herself drawn into the fast-moving world of TV drama.

Guest spots on programs like “Hawaii Five-O,” “Gunsmoke,” and “Mission: Impossible” gave her first tastes of national stardom. She brought a certain edge and intelligence that made her stand out, even in quick appearances. This was before women’s roles on TV started getting as much nuance or respect as their male counterparts, but Swit found ways to bring personality, strength, and vulnerability to every part she grabbed—and the executives at CBS noticed. Landing the part of Houlihan would change her career forever.

Swit’s “Hot Lips” Houlihan was, at first, known for being demanding and by-the-book—a stereotypical authority figure. But as “M*A*S*H” evolved, so did Houlihan. Swit fought for her character to be more than a punchline or a foil, pushing writers and directors to give Margaret real moments of doubt, empathy, and growth. She became a complex, dimensional presence battling sexism and the absurdities of war, earning two Emmy Awards for her work. Her transformation mirrored TV’s slow progress toward richer female characters.

Even as Swit played alongside stars like Alan Alda’s Hawkeye Pierce, she held her own—bringing warmth and steel as needed. She never let her character fall into the background, making Margaret Houlihan one of those rare TV figures that linger in pop culture long after the credits roll. After “M*A*S*H” ended, Swit kept acting, popping up in everything from detective dramas to sitcoms. Fans, however, always remembered her best in olive drab scrubs, barking orders and caring for wounded soldiers in a fictional Korean War hospital that felt all too real.

Loretta Swit’s death marks the end of an era. In a world of endless TV reboots and shifting trends, her work as Major Houlihan stands as proof that great characters—brought to life by great actors—never really fade away.