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May
LORETTA SWIT, BELOVED ‘M.A.S.H.’ ACTRESS, DIES AT 87
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CapitalTimesNews / 1 week
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Loretta Swit, the talented actress who brought to life the iconic character of Maj. Margaret Houlihan in the hit TV series “M.A.S.H.,” has passed away at the age of 87. Swit won two Emmy Awards for her portrayal of the demanding head nurse of a behind-the-lines surgical unit during the Korean War. Swit’s publicist, Harlan Boll, confirmed that she died on Friday at her home in New York City, likely due to natural causes. Swit was best known for her role in “M.A.S.H.,” which aired for 11 seasons from 1972 to 1983 and became a cultural phenomenon. The show was based on Robert Altman’s 1970 film, which was itself based on a novel by Richard Hooker. Swit’s character, Maj. Houlihan, was initially portrayed as a one-dimensional, rules-bound head nurse, but Swit’s influence on the scriptwriters helped to develop the character into a more nuanced and realistic person. “Around the second or third year, I decided to try to play her as a real person, in an intelligent fashion, even if it meant hurting the jokes,” Swit told Suzy Kalter, author of “The Complete Book of ‘M.A.S.H.’” Alan Alda, Swit’s co-star and friend, praised her talent and dedication to the show. “She worked hard in showing the writing staff how they could turn the character from a one-joke sexist stereotype into a real person — with real feelings and ambitions,” Alda said in a post on X. Swit’s legacy extends beyond her iconic role in “M.A.S.H.” She was a vocal animal welfare activist and sold SwitHeart perfume and her memoir through her official website, with proceeds benefiting various animal-related nonprofit groups. “Loretta Swit’s portrayal of Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan was groundbreaking — bringing heart, humor, and strength to one of television comedy’s most enduring roles,” National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson said in a statement.