Loretta Swit, the Emmy-winning actress best known for her role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the iconic TV series MASH*, has died at the age of 87, her representative confirmed the news.
Swit passed away at her home in New York City, reportedly of natural causes.
Though she enjoyed a successful career on both stage and screen, Swit gained widespread fame for her role on MASH*, which aired from 1972 to 1983. Her character, initially known for her affair with Major Frank Burns, evolved into a more complex and compassionate figure as the series progressed. Swit herself pushed for Houlihan to be portrayed as a multidimensional woman, telling author Suzy Kalter she chose to reflect her character’s emotional growth throughout the series.
Adapted from Robert Altman’s 1970 satirical war film, MASH* became a cultural touchstone, mixing dark humor with commentary on the human toll of war.
The show’s ensemble cast included Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, McLean Stevenson, and Jamie Farr, among others, with Swit standing out as one of its most enduring and beloved figures. Over the course of the series, she earned two Emmy Awards and received eight additional nominations, along with four Golden Globe nods.
Swit’s performance helped redefine the role of women in television during a time of cultural change, and her portrayal of Houlihan remains a landmark in TV history.
