Home / Arts and Entertainment / Legendary 'M*A*S*H' Actress Loretta Swit Shares Insights in Final Interview Before Passing
Legendary 'M*A*S*H' Actress Loretta Swit Shares Insights in Final Interview Before Passing
8 Nov
Summary
- Loretta Swit, who played Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on M*A*S*H, passed away in May at age 87
- In her final interview, Swit reflected on how she helped develop her iconic character
- Swit took pride in portraying the strong, complex women serving in the Korean War
In May 2025, legendary actress Loretta Swit, best known for her role as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the hit TV series M*A*S*H, passed away at the age of 87. In her final interview, conducted just before her passing, Swit reflected on the pride she took in developing her iconic character over the show's 11-season run from 1972 to 1983.
Swit explained that she was determined to portray the real-life women who volunteered to serve in the Korean War, rather than relying on stereotypical nurse characters. "The women in Korea that I commanded volunteered to be there - the coldest country on the planet and the hottest country on the planet," she shared. Swit worked closely with the show's creators to ensure Houlihan's growth and evolution, including pushing for the character to have a more meaningful romantic storyline.
The Emmy Award-winning actress took great pride in how Houlihan's character developed over time, breaking the mold of static TV characters. "My character broke a barrier in terms of growth. Most of the characters on television in my category, let's say, stayed the same for as long as they're on. They never grew. They never changed," Swit noted. Her dedication to the role earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe nominations.
