Loretta Swit was a renowned American actress known for her work in both stage and television. She gained significant recognition for her character portrayals, particularly as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the television series M*A*S*H.
She received nominations in every season of the acclaimed show for her performance, ultimately winning two Emmy Awards in 1980 and 1982.
Early Life & Education
Loretta Swit was born on November 4, 1937, in Passaic, New Jersey, to parents Nellie and Lester. She has Polish heritage and an older brother named Robert.
During her teenage years, Swit attended Pope Pius XII High School, where she participated in theatrical performances, co-captained the girls’ basketball team, and engaged in cheerleading activities.
After completing her high school education in 1955, she enrolled at Katharine Gibbs School in Montclair, graduating in 1957.
Loretta Swit’s Career
After graduating from college, Loretta Swit took on several clerical positions. These included her role as a stenographer, serving as a personal secretary to the writer Elsa Maxwell, and working as a secretary for the Ghanaian ambassador to the United Nations.
Additionally, Swit was employed at the American Rocket Society while simultaneously learning to dance from Rockette Elizabeth Parent-Barber. During this period, she also pursued drama lessons with acting coach Gene Frankel.
Loretta Swit relocated to Hollywood in 1969. That same year, she made her television debut in an episode of “Hawaii Five-O,” and subsequently appeared on the show three additional times in the following years.
Swit continued to secure guest roles in episodes of various series, including “Mission: Impossible,” “Mannix,” “Gunsmoke,” “Cade’s County,” “Bonanza,” and “Young Dr. Kildare,” among others.
Loretta achieved her significant breakthrough in 1972 when she started portraying Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the CBS television series “M*A*S*H,” which was inspired by the film of the same title.
Swit took over the role of the passionate army nurse from Sally Kellerman, who had first played the character in the movie. “M*A*S*H” became a tremendous success, airing for 11 seasons until 1983.
She received numerous nominations for the Emmy and Golden Globe Awards, ultimately winning two Emmys overall.
Loretta Swit made her debut on the big screen in the 1972 comedy “Stand Up and Be Counted,” featuring Jacqueline Bisset and Stella Stevens.
She subsequently appeared in a minor role in the road comedy “Deadhead Miles,” which starred Alan Arkin.
Swit then took on a significantly larger role in the 1974 buddy cop action comedy “Freebie and the Bean,” which also included Arkin.
She starred alongside Peter Fonda and Warren Oates in the 1975 action horror film “Race with the Devil.” Following a hiatus from film, Swit made her comeback in Blake Edwards’s 1981 black comedy “S.O.B.” After that, she had limited film appearances, with a few credits such as “Beer,” “Whoops Apocalypse,” and “Forest Warrior.”
Personal Life & Cause of Death
Loretta Swit was previously linked with musician Bill Hudson. In 1983, she wed actor Dennis Holahan, but they divorced in 1995. Holahan portrayed Per Johannsen, a Swedish diplomat who had a brief involvement with Swit’s character in an episode of M*A*S*H.
On May 30, 2025, Loretta Swit passed away at her home in New York City, at the age of 87.
