Loretta Swit, Emmy-Winning Star of “MAS*H” and Tireless Animal Advocate, Dies at 87
Loretta Swit, whose portrayal of the formidable and compassionate Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the groundbreaking series MASH* helped redefine women’s roles on television, passed away peacefully in her New York City home on May 30, 2025. She was 87.
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The Emmy-winning actress and humanitarian left an indelible mark on entertainment and activism. Her death, attributed to natural causes, was confirmed by longtime publicist Harlan Boll.
Swit rose to prominence in 1972 when she stepped into the role of Maj. Houlihan, taking over from Sally Kellerman, who originated the character in Robert Altman’s 1970 film.
What began as a comedic foil quickly became one of television’s most layered and enduring female leads—largely thanks to Swit’s influence and fierce dedication.
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Over the course of MASH*’s 11-year run, Swit transformed “Hot Lips” from a caricature into Margaret Houlihan—a strong, smart, emotionally complex woman who navigated war, sexism, and personal vulnerability with grace. She earned ten Emmy nominations for the role and won the award twice, in 1980 and 1982.
Her co-stars, many of whom remained lifelong friends, shared moving tributes in the days following her passing. Alan Alda, who played the witty and principled Hawkeye Pierce, recalled Swit as “a force of nature—tender, tough, funny, and fearless.” He added, “She didn’t inherit the role of Margaret. She reinvented it.”
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Alda shared a special moment in the show’s evolution: “There was a day the scripts stopped calling her ‘Hot Lips’ and started using ‘Margaret.’ That was because of Loretta. She made sure the audience saw her character as a full human being, not just a punchline.”
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Mike Farrell, who played B.J. Hunnicutt, honored her with a quiet but powerful Instagram post—a black-and-white photo captioned simply, “Loretta… 1937–2025.” Their bond, which she once described as “unshakable,” extended far beyond the soundstage.
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Swit was known off-screen for her warmth, generosity, and fierce loyalty to friends. In interviews, she spoke often and fondly of the MASH* cast as a chosen family. “We watched each other grow older. We laughed more than we cried. And when we cried, we held each other,” she once said.
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Born in 1937 in Passaic, New Jersey, Swit studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and honed her craft in repertory theatre. She began her career in the 1960s with roles in stage productions like Any Wednesday, Mame, and The Odd Couple. Her television debut came with guest spots on popular series including Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, and Hawaii Five-O.
When MASH* launched, it became an instant hit and cultural phenomenon. Swit’s Margaret Houlihan was a character for the times: a career military nurse demanding the same respect as her male peers, long before such portrayals were common.
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After the series concluded in 1983, Swit remained active in television and theatre. Her post-MASH* work included performances in The Execution, Miracle at Moreaux, and Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story.
She also appeared in films such as S.O.B., Beer, and Forest Warrior, and returned to the stage in Same Time, Next Year, Shirley Valentine, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
In 1983, she married actor Dennis Holahan, whom she met on the set of MASH*. Their intimate ceremony in California was attended by close friends and castmates. They divorced in 1995 but remained on good terms.
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Outside of acting, Swit devoted her life to causes close to her heart—most notably animal rights. She was a vocal advocate for shelter reform, wildlife preservation, and cruelty-free legislation.
Beginning in 1992, she hosted the animal-focused docuseries Those Incredible Animals, and published a coffee-table book celebrating rescue dogs.
Her advocacy earned her numerous awards, and she often said that her greatest role was “giving a voice to the voiceless.”
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Swit’s final screen appearance came in the 2019 faith-based film Play the Flute, though she continued to speak at animal rights events and theatre festivals into her later years.
Her passing marks not just the end of a remarkable life, but the closing of a chapter in television history. Few actors so thoroughly reshaped a character, or used their platform to such lasting effect. She leaves behind a body of work that is as enduring as it is impactful.
As fans, friends, and fellow actors remember Loretta Swit, the words that echo most often are those of warmth, strength, and transformation. In life—as in her most iconic role—she led with heart.