Loretta Swit, who played Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in MASH and won an Emmy Award, has died. She lived to be 87.
On Friday, Swit died at her home in New York City, her longtime publicist Harlan Boll confirmed. The cause of the person’s death was natural.
Swit was a well-known actress on television for many years, appearing as the only woman in the main cast of MASH*, the CBS comedy-drama about the Korean War.
Houlihan, at first appearing as a rigid and strict head nurse, became one of the best and most developed female roles on television in the 1970s.
Swit, together with Alan Alda, stayed with MASH for all 11 seasons, from 1972 to 1983. The series which followed Robert Altman’s 1970 film (based on Richard Hooker’s book), was a hit and became known for its witty satire, emotional moments and criticism of the chaos of war.
When the series ended on February 28, 1983, the finale was watched by more than 100 million people, setting the record for the most-viewed scripted episode in the United States.
Changing the meaning of “Hot Lips”
Sally Kellerman played the part of Margaret Houlihan the first time and when Swit took over, the character was a caricature: strict and emotional, often a target for the nurses’ jokes.
Soldiers used the nickname “Hot Lips” to ridicule and ridicule her in a sexual way.
But Swit, wanting to present Houlihan as a strong and smart woman, eventually turned her character into a pioneer.
As feminism grew in the 1970s and thanks to her influence, Houlihan moved from being ridiculed to being seen as a strong, caring and dedicated woman.
At some point, Swit commented, “She kept growing as an artist.” I saved all of the hard and sad changes in her life from my mind. Her character was always in the process of change.
Swit was credited by Alan Alda, who wrote and directed a number of MASH* episodes, for guiding the development of his character.
I wrote for her, we steered clear of the ‘Hot Lips’ title and explored what made Margaret special, he said in 2018. “She came to life as a real person.”
Of the 256 episodes in the show, Swit was in all but 11 which made her one of the longest-running female characters on prime-time television in that time.
Support for Women and Understanding
Besides her acting career, Swit spoke out for women and was involved in animal rights causes.
Often, Mamet’s work on MASH* integrated her interest in women’s rights and mental health, especially in scenes that pointed out sexism in the military and the negative effects of war on mental health.
In 2023, talking about her time on the show, she said that for decades, women wrote to her to say they chose nursing careers after being moved by her character. “Being able to help someone in that way is truly amazing,” she said.
In the last episode, Swit wrote the final speech that Houlihan said to the nurses before leaving. She wrote that it was an honor and a privilege to have worked together. “I am very proud to have known you.”
From her days in the limelight on TV to her new role as an activist.
Once MASH* ended, she went on to act on stage, in TV movies and even in the pilot for Cagney & Lacey, playing one of the main detectives. She decided not to go back to the role so she could finish her time on MASH.
Over time, Swit devoted a significant portion of her time to activism. She wrote a book and established her own perfume line, SwitHeart, with all proceeds going to animal charities. Her campaigning and philanthropic endeavors were primarily shared on her website.
Swit wed Dennis Holahan, an actor she met while guest-starring on MASH. They split up in 1995.
A Permanent Impact
MASH has remained significant over the years due to its popularity as a program and its influence on the contemporary dramedy genre, which includes Barry and Better Things.
It was ahead of the curve to alternate between serious drama and lighthearted humor, and Swit’s performance maintained the series’ equilibrium.
The National Comedy Center lauded Swit’s contributions by making a statement. Loretta Swit’s acting as Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan was remarkable, giving a strong, funny and warm performance to one of the most memorable roles on TV comedies.
Her death marks the conclusion of a great era in television, but the influence of her work can be seen in every strong, complex and human female role seen after her.