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(New York, NY) — The actress best known for her role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the television series “M*A*S*H” has died. Loretta Swit’s publicist said the 87-year-old passed Friday at her home in New York City. Police say the cause of death is suspected to be natural causes.
The role earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, four Golden Globe nominations and a TV Land Impact Award.
Besides M*A*S*H, Swit guest starred on various TV shows such as Hawaii Five-O, Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, The Love Boat, Mannix, Bonanza and Batman: The Animated Series. She also appeared in several films and TV movies, including The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, S.O.B., Race With the Devil, Beer, Whoops Apocalypse and Forest Warrior.
Swit also had an active theater career. She made her Broadway debut in 1975’s Same Time, Next Year and went on to replace Cleo Laine in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Other credits include her starring roles in Shirley Valentine and Mame. She received the Sarah Siddons Award in 1991.
The Emmy Award-winning actress was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989. Her final acting credit came in 2019 in a movie titled Play the Flute
