Facts about Loretta Swit

Loretta Swit died at 87 years old
Died: May 30, 2025
Best known as: 'Hot Lips' Houlihan

     

     

Loretta Swit Biography

Loretta Swit began her career in live theater and then began making TV guest appearances in 1969. In 1972 she landed the full-time role of Major Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan on the TV series M*A*S*H.

Like fellow co-stars Gary ‘Radar’ Burghoff and Larry ‘Major Burns’ Linville, Loretta Swit remained permanently identified with her character, the uptight-yet-sexy Nurse Houlihan.

Loretta Swit later hosted the show Those Incredible Animals on TV’s The Discovery Channel.

Extra credit

Loretta Swit was the original Cagney in the 1981 movie pilot for the TV series Cagney and Lacey. But she couldn’t get out of her M*A*S*H contract, and the role later went to Sharon Gless… Other M*A*S*H stars included Alan Alda and McLean Stevenson.


     

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