Loretta Jane Swit (born Jane Szwed; November 4, 1937 – May 30, 2025) was a celebrated American actress, widely recognized for her portrayal of Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the television series MASH*. Her performance earned her two Emmy Awards and established her as a versatile talent in both comedic and dramatic roles.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Loretta Jane Swit (born Loretta Jane Szwed) |
| Date of Birth | November 4, 1937 |
| Place of Birth | Passaic, New Jersey, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Dennis Holahan (married 1983, divorced 1995) |
| Children | None (stepmother to Dennis Holahan’s two children, Belle and Nicholas) |
| Parents | Lester Szwed (father), Nellie Szwed (mother) |
| Date of Death | May 30, 2025 |
Early Life and Education
Born in Passaic, New Jersey, to Polish immigrant parents Lester and Nellie Szwed, Loretta grew up alongside her older brother Robert.
During her youth, she was active in the Girl Scouts and excelled in high school as a cheerleader, actress, and co-captain of the basketball team at Pope Pius XII High School, graduating in 1955. She furthered her education at Katharine Gibbs School in Montclair, New Jersey, completing her studies in 1957.
Before fully committing to acting, Swit held various clerical positions, including work as a stenographer and secretary. She honed her craft studying drama under Gene Frankel in New York City and trained as a singer at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Career
Swit’s early career featured stage performances, including a national tour of Any Wednesday in 1967, and roles in productions like The Odd Couple and Mame.
After relocating to Hollywood in 1970, she appeared in guest roles on popular television series such as Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, and Hawaii Five-O.
Her defining role came in 1972 when she was cast as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on MASH*, a character she portrayed throughout the show’s entire 11-season run until 1983.
Swit received Emmy nominations nearly every season and won twice for her work on the series. Following *MASH, she continued acting in television pilots like Cagney & Lacey and toured with acclaimed stage productions including The Vagina Monologues.
Personal Life
Loretta Swit was married to actor Dennis Holahan from 1983 until their divorce in 1988. She did not have children and maintained a relatively private personal life thereafter. Swit passed away on May 30, 2025.
Legacy
Loretta Swit is remembered as a pioneering actress who infused her characters, especially Major Houlihan, with complexity and strength, making her a feminist icon on television.
Beyond her acting career, she was a passionate advocate for animal rights and various charitable causes, leaving a lasting impact both on and off screen. She remains one of television’s most beloved and enduring figures.
Filmography
- MAS*H (1972–1983) – Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan (TV Series)
- Play the Flute (2019) – Mrs. Kincaid
- Beach Movie (1998) – Mrs. Jones
- Forest Warrior (1996) – Shirley
- Burke’s Law (1994) – Evelyn Turner (TV Series)
- Diagnosis Murder (1993) – Maggie Dennings (TV Series)
- A Killer Among Friends (1992) – Det. Patricia Staley
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992) – Marcia Cates / Photographer (voice)
- Hell Hath No Fury (1991) – Mary
- Intimate Portrait (1990) – Narrator (TV Series)
- 14 Going on 30 (1988) – Miss Horton
- Dolly (1987) – Luwanda Novack (TV Series)
- Whoops Apocalypse (1987) – President Barbara Adams
- Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story (1986) – Deo Fisher
- Miracle at Moreaux (1985)
- Beer (1985) – B.D. Tucker
- The Execution (1985) – Marysia Walenka
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) – Kim Mitchell (TV Series)
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1983) – Grace Bradley
- First Affair (1983) – Jane Simon
- The Kid from Nowhere (1982) – Caroline Baker
- Cagney & Lacey (1981) – Det. Christine Cagney (TV Series)
- S.O.B. (1981) – Polly Reed
- Friendships, Secrets and Lies (1979) – B.J.
- Mirror, Mirror (1979) – Sandy McLaren
- Supertrain (1979) – Alice Phillips (TV Series)
- The Hostage Heart (1977) – Chris Leblanc
- The Love Boat (1977) – Kathy Ross (TV Series)
- Good Heavens (1976) – (TV Series)
- Rickles (1975) – Maj. Hotlips Houlihan
- Race with the Devil (1975) – Alice
- It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman! (1975) – Sydney
- The Last Day (1975) – Daisy
- Freebie and the Bean (1974) – Meyers’ Wife
- Petrocelli (1974) – Ella Knox (TV Series)
- Policewomen (1974) – Police Desk Sergeant
- Shirts/Skins (1973) – Linda Bush
- The ABC Afterschool Special (1972) – Wanda Karpinsky
- Deadhead Miles (1972) – Lady with Glass Eye
- Stand Up and Be Counted (1972) – Hilary McBride
- Fireball Forward (1972) – Nurse (uncredited)
- Sam Cade (1972) – Ginny Lomax
- Cade’s County (1971) – Ginny Lomax (TV Series)
- Love, American Style (1969) – Doris (TV Series)
- The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (1969) – Rosalyn (TV Series)
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) – Wanda Russell (TV Series)
- Mannix (1967) – Dorothy Harker (TV Series)
- Ironside (1967) – (TV Series)
- Mission: Impossible (1966) – Midge Larson (TV Series)
- Bonanza (1959) – Ellen Sue Greely (TV Series)
- Gunsmoke (1955) – Donna (TV Series)
