Television aficionados may remember the show M*A*S*H. Or if they don’t, possibly they might recall their parents watching it. The cast was absolutely amazing and featured one woman prominently. Her name was Loretta Swit. Loretta Swit was mostly known for her role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on M*A*S*H, but she was so much more.
(M*A*S*H stands for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital for anybody wondering.)
Loretta Swit’s Career Start
Born Loretta Jane Szwed, she changed her last name to Swit, as it was more easily pronounceable. Bit by the singing bug at a young age, Loretta had taken voice and music lessons. She participated in school plays and had her small screen debut with Mannix in 1969; soon, that was followed by the television series of Mission: Impossible.
After guest spots on Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and the original series of Hawaii Five-0, Loretta Swit was cast on M*A*S*H as Major Margaret Houlihan, affectionately called “Hot Lips” by her fellow army troops. Major Nurse Houlihan was known for her snappy comebacks, dry wit, and standing up for what she thought was right. M*A*S*H was nominated for and won multiple awards. Loretta Swit won the Primetime Emmy for Best Supporting Actress several times for her skillful portrayal of Major Houlihan.
When the cop show starring two hard-nosed female detectives, Cagney & Lacey, came out, Loretta Swit was originally slated to portray Christine Cagney. Unfortunately, due to her contractual obligations to M*A*S*H, she had to exit the role. Sharon Gless was her replacement. Loretta Swit was the one who had insisted that friend Tyne Daly play the role of Lacey.
Loretta Swit’s Later Career
After the series M*A*S*H ended in 1983, Loretta Swit went on to act in guest roles in shows like Murder, She Wrote and Diagnosis Murder. She was also in some after school specials and made-for-TV movies. Loretta Swit was adept at both comedy and drama, as well as music. She appeared in the Broadway production of Same Time, Next Year and in a Las Vegas stage production of Mame.
In the late 90s she got out of the spotlight and started to make jewelry and become involved in crafts like needlepoint. She painted watercolor art and was heavily involved in animal activism. Loretta Swit was a vegetarian and started her own animal charity called the SwitHeart Animal Alliance. Swit was additionally awarded the Betty White Award for outstanding service to animals.
Remembering Loretta Swit
This sassy and bright blonde actress will be greatly missed. Her groundbreaking role of Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan paved the path for many women in the television industry. After several seasons on M*A*S*H, Major Houlihan was no longer looked at as an auxiliary character, as her backstory was revealed. Swit and Houlihan made huge strides for both female characters and women in the entertainment industry.
The New Jersey native passed away Friday, May 30th, around noon at her home in New York City. Loretta was 87. For anybody wanting to make donations please visit SwitHeart Animal Alliance or Actors & Others for Animals.
