Loretta Swit, Beloved ‘M*A*S*H’ Star, Dies at 87

Loretta Swit, the Emmy-winning actress who brought heart and humor to the iconic role of Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on CBS’s *M*A*S*H*, passed away on May 30, 2025, at her New York City home. She was 87. According to her publicist, Harlan Boll, Swit’s death is suspected to be from natural causes, pending a coroner’s report (Boll, 2025, as cited in People, 2025). Her passing marks a profound loss for fans and the entertainment world, as another luminary who shaped television history has left us.

Born Loretta Jane Szwed on November 4, 1937, in Passaic, New Jersey, Swit’s portrayal of Margaret Houlihan from 1972 to 1983 redefined women’s roles on screen. With two Emmy Awards and ten nominations, she transformed the character from a stereotype into a complex, empowered figure, earning praise for her intelligence and versatility (Gunderson, 2025, as cited in The Hollywood Reporter, 2025). Swit’s *M*A*S*H* co-stars, including Alan Alda, who called her a “supremely talented actor,” and Jamie Farr, who described her as a “lifetime friend,” mourned her loss with heartfelt tributes (Alda, 2025, as cited in Deadline, 2025; Farr, 2025, as cited in USA Today, 2025). Beyond *M*A*S*H*, Swit appeared in *The Love Boat*, *Murder, She Wrote*, and *Play the Flute* (2019), while her passion for animal rights shone through her SwitHeart Animal Alliance and her 2017 book, *SwitHeart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit* (People, 2025).

The ache of losing Swit joins the chorus of grief for the talented souls who gifted us endless joy, only to leave too soon. It’s as if we want to scream to the heavens, “Stop dying!”—a desperate plea against the relentless march of time that steals our icons. Swit’s legacy, however, endures in every laugh and tear *M*A*S*H* inspired, a testament to her indelible mark on our hearts.

Swit is survived by her *M*A*S*H* family and countless fans, with no immediate family mentioned in reports. Our deepest condolences go out to those who loved her, as we hold tight to the memories of her radiant talent.

References

Alda, A. (2025, May 31). Alan Alda mourns Loretta Swit’s death: “Supremely talented actor.” *Deadline*. https://deadline.com%5B%5D(https://deadline.com/2025/05/alan-alda-loretta-swit-tribute-mash-1236414861/)

Farr, J. (2025, May 31). Loretta Swit tributes: ‘MASH’ stars Alan Alda, Jamie Farr speak out. *USA Today*. https://www.usatoday.com%5B%5D(https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2025/05/30/loretta-swit-tributes-mash-alan-alda-jamie-farr/83954344007/)

Gunderson, J. (2025, June 1). Loretta Swit death: ‘MASH’ stars pay tribute. *The Hollywood Reporter*. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com%5B%5D(https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/loretta-swit-death-reactions-tributes-1236234394/)

People. (2025, May 31). Loretta Swit, Emmy-winning M*A*S*H actress, dies at 87. *People*. https://people.com%5B%5D(https://people.com/loretta-swit-dead-mash-actress-was-87-7569131)

photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons