Farewell to Loretta Swit: The Heart and Soul Behind M*A*S*H’s ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan
Story by Mitchell Smith
Loretta Swit was born in 1937 in Passaic, NJ and passed away May 30, 2025 from natural causes. Swit is best know as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan from M*A*S*H. In high school Swit was a cheerleader, captain of the basketball team, and active in drama club. Swit attended Katherine Gibbs college. She worked clerical jobs including a stenographer as she perused an acting career. Swit got into several off Broadway production as she worked her way up in the world. Swit went to Hollywood and got minor parts in shows like Hawaii Five-O, Bonanza, and Gunsmoke. In 1972 she landed the roll she was destined to play, and it would define Swit and her career.
Similar to Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia, Swit was always Hot Lips and never had to outdo that character. Growing up M*A*S*H was a staple show. There were so many great characters and Swit meshed with the rest of the cast. During the M*A*S*H run Swit made appearances on other shows such as “The Love Boat”, The Muppet Show, and the game show “Password”. I remember the last episode of M*A*S*H, even as a young kid I couldn’t believe the show was ending. It was such a staple, but I guess it will always run in syndication.
As all good things come to an end, Swit would go on and make several Appearances over the years in shows like “Murder She Wrote” and “Hollywood Squares”, along with voice acting in “Batman the Animated Series “ and “Cow and Chicken”. Swit has left her mark on the world and will forever live on through her work in Hollywood. Rest in Peace Ms Loretta Swit.
