Loretta Swit, the Emmy-winning actress best known for her portrayal of Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the acclaimed television series M*A*S*H*, passed away on May 30, 2025, at her home in New York City. She was 87. The cause of death is suspected to be natural causes, according to her publicist, Harlan Boll.
Born Loretta Jane Szwed on November 4, 1937, in Passaic, New Jersey, Swit was the daughter of Polish immigrants. She graduated from Pope Pius XII High School in 1955 and later attended Katharine Gibbs School in Montclair. Pursuing her passion for the arts, she studied drama under Gene Frankel in Manhattan and trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts .
Swit’s early career included appearances in various television series such as Hawaii Five-O, Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, and Mannix. However, it was her role as the competent and formidable Major Houlihan on MASH* that catapulted her to fame. She was one of only two actors, alongside Alan Alda, to appear in both the pilot and the series finale, participating in 240 of the show’s 251 episodes. Her performance earned her two Emmy Awards and ten nominations over the show’s 11-season run.
Beyond television, Swit had a vibrant stage career. She starred in productions such as Same Time, Next Year on Broadway and toured extensively with the one-woman play Shirley Valentine, performing it over 1,200 times. Her theatrical contributions were recognized with the Sarah Siddons Award in 1991.
Swit was also a dedicated animal rights activist. She served on the boards of organizations like Actors and Others for Animals and The Wildlife Waystation. In 2016, she founded the SwitHeart Animal Alliance, a nonprofit aimed at ending animal cruelty. She utilized proceeds from her artwork to support animal welfare initiatives.
In her personal life, Swit was married to actor Dennis Holahan from 1983 until their divorce in 1995. Holahan appeared alongside her in an episode of M*A*S*H*, portraying a Swedish diplomat who briefly becomes involved with her character.
Swit’s legacy extends beyond her iconic role on M*A*S*H*. She broke ground for strong, professional female characters on television and remained a passionate advocate for animal rights throughout her life. Donations in her memory can be made to Actors and Others for Animals or the SwitHeart Animal Alliance.
As one fan once wrote, “You made me laugh. You made me cry. You made me feel.” Loretta Swit’s contributions to television and animal welfare have left an indelible mark, ensuring her legacy endures.
REELated:
Pope Francis, 266th leader of the Catholic Church, dies at 88
