Loretta Swit, the celebrated actress best known for her iconic role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the long-running CBS series M*A*S*H, has died at the age of 87. Her publicist, Harlan Boll, confirmed the news to PEOPLE on Friday, May 30. Swit passed away peacefully of natural causes in the early morning hours at her home in New York City.
Swit’s portrayal of the fiercely dedicated and complex head nurse in the Korean War-era medical drama earned her widespread acclaim. During her tenure on M*A*S*H from 1972 to 1983, she won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, garnered four Golden Globe nominations, and was later honored with a TV Land Impact Award.
Beyond her unforgettable role on M*A*S*H, Swit left her mark on numerous classic television series, guest-starring in Hawaii Five-O, Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, The Love Boat, Mannix, Bonanza, and even lending her voice to Batman: The Animated Series.
Her film credits include a variety of movies and made-for-TV films such as The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, S.O.B., Race With the Devil, Beer, Whoops Apocalypse, and Forest Warrior. Her final film appearance came in 2019’s Play the Flute, and she was also attached to an upcoming project titled Second Chances, currently listed in pre-production.
In a 1979 interview with PEOPLE, Swit reflected on her passion for acting, tracing it back to childhood outings to the cinema with her mother. “Luckily, my mother loved movies and we would go to double features and sit through both films twice,” she said. Despite a shy early demeanor, she pursued acting with tenacity and clarity.
Swit was candid about her priorities, once expressing, “I’m not interested in being married. I have a career and friends and things I care about doing.” She credited her M*A*S*H co-star Alan Alda for helping her embrace her choices without guilt. Although she eventually married actor Dennis Holahan in 1983 — who guest starred on M*A*S*H — the couple divorced in 1995, and Swit chose not to have children.
Her talents also extended to the stage. Swit made her Broadway debut in Same Time, Next Year in 1975, and later starred in productions including The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Shirley Valentine, and Mame. In recognition of her work in theater, she was awarded the Sarah Siddons Award in 1991.
A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, received in 1989, cemented her legacy in entertainment. Off-screen, Swit was an accomplished painter and a passionate animal rights advocate. In 2017, she published Switheart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit, with proceeds supporting anti-cruelty organizations.
Loretta Swit’s life was defined by dedication to her craft, her convictions, and her compassion. She leaves behind a legacy of powerful performances, artistic expression, and advocacy that touched generations.
