Loretta Swit, best known as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on MASH, has died at age 87 in New York City, likely of natural causes. Swit, along with Alan Alda, was one of the longest-serving cast members on the iconic series, which aired from 1972 to 1983.
Born in Passaic, New Jersey, to Polish immigrants, Swit trained in acting and worked in theater before moving to TV. After minor roles in shows like Gunsmoke and Hawaii Five-O, she was cast in MASH—a role that would define her career.
Swit disliked the sexist portrayal of Houlihan in the early episodes and worked hard to transform her into a strong, complex, and respected Army major. Her efforts helped shift the character from a stereotype to a symbol of growth and strength, influenced in part by the women’s movement of the 1970s.
Beyond MASH, Swit continued acting in theater and films, with her final role in 2019. She was also a passionate animal rights advocate and lifelong vegetarian-turned-vegan.
Swit was briefly married to actor Dennis Holahan, who appeared on MASH as a love interest for her character. Though divorced in 1995, she remained active and engaged throughout her life.
Tributes poured in after her passing, with Alan Alda praising her efforts to deepen her character and celebrate her legacy. For fans, she will be remembered not just as “Hot Lips,” but as Margaret — a strong, enduring figure in television history.