Known for movies

Short Info

Date Of BirthNovember 4, 1937
SpouseDennis Holahan
FactHoneymooned with husband Dennis Holahan in Egypt. Became stepmother to his teenaged children, Nicholas and Belle.


Loretta Swit (born November 4, 1937) is an American actress known for her role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the CBS television series M*A*S*H (1972–1983). She has won two Emmy Awards for the role.

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Early Life

Loretta Jane Swit was born in Passaic, New Jersey, to Polish Catholic parents, Nellie (née Burda) and Anthony Swit. She has two sisters, Helene and Sylvia. The family moved to Bayonne, New Jersey, when she was seven. Swit is a 1955 graduate of Bayonne High School, where she was active in school theatre productions.

Career

Swit’s first acting job was in a summer stock production of The Diary of Anne Frank. She later toured with the company in a production of Mister Roberts. She also worked at the Bayonne Playhouse. Swit’s acting career began on Broadway, where she appeared in musicals such as Any Wednesday and Same Time, Next Year. In 1971, she made her television debut on an episode of The Virginian.

Swit’s breakout role came in 1972, when she was cast as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the CBS television series M*A*S*H. She played the role for 11 seasons, until the show ended in 1983. For her work on the show, Swit won two Emmy Awards.

After M*A*S*H ended, Swit starred in a number of made-for-television movies and miniseries. She also guest-starred on several television shows, including Cheers, The Love Boat, and Murder, She Wrote. In 1987, she starred in the short-lived CBS sitcom Out of This World.

In the 1990s, Swit appeared in a number of stage productions, including The Odd Couple (opposite Tony Randall), Steel Magnolias, and Love Letters (opposite Doug Davidson). She also continued to make guest appearances on television, including on Mad About You, Diagnosis: Murder, and Touched by an Angel.

In recent years, Swit has appeared in a number of reality television shows, including The Surreal Life and Celebrity Wife Swap. She has also been a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Personal Life

Swit has been married three times. Her first husband was Dennis Holahan; the couple divorced in 1979. Her second husband was Bruce Scott; the couple divorced in 1982. Swit married actor Dennis Guggenheim in 1999; the couple divorced in 2008. She has no children.

In 1982, Swit underwent a mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She has since been an outspoken advocate for breast cancer awareness and early detection.

Swit is a Democrat and has campaigned for various Democratic candidates, including Jimmy Carter, Walter Mondale, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton.

General Info

Full NameLoretta Swit
Date Of BirthNovember 4, 1937
Height1.68 m
ProfessionTelevision presenter, Actor, Singer
EducationAmerican Academy of Dramatic Arts
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseDennis Holahan
ParentsLester, Nellie Szwed

Accomplishments

AwardsPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, TV Land Impact Award, People's Choice Award for Favorite Female TV Performer
NominationsGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture Made for Television, Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
MoviesRace with the Devil, Forest Warrior, S.O.B., Whoops Apocalypse, Freebie and the Bean, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Goodbye, Farewell and Amen, Board Heads, Miracle at Moreaux, Deadhead Miles, The Execution, Dreams of Gold, Beer, A Christmas Calendar, Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story
TV ShowsM*A*S*H, The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour

Social profile links

Quotes

#Quote
1Sometimes I would get letters from nurses saying how grateful they were that a nurse was finally being portrayed as a person, a caring human being. As far as the audience was concerned, I think it identifies with at least one or two or maybe all of us. We have become people to them and never caricatures. We're very real to them.
2I mean, certain things had to remain the same. She had to remain one of the antagonists because that was the structure of the show. In the second season, we saw for the first time that she was unhappy with "Frank" and wanted more from her life. Then around the third or fourth year, in an episode called M*A*S*H: The Nurses (1976), "Hot Lips" gave the nurses a speech telling them how lonely she was because she was in charge and that's the way it was, so she couldn't really have any friends. Her marriage and her divorce changed her. Her affair with "Hawkeye" in M*A*S*H: Comrades in Arms: Part 1 (1977) changed both characters, so that they were never really rivals again.
3Hot Lips changed a lot in eleven years. Initially Margaret Houlihan behaved as though a man were the only thing that could complete her life, and she didn't see what richness her life contained. She gained a lot of self-esteem through the years, and she came to realize that what she did, what she offered, was valuable. To oversimplify it, I took each traumatic change that happened in her life and kept it. I didn't discard anything. I didn't go on into the next episode as if it were a different character in a different play. She was a character in constant flux. She never stopped developing.

Facts

#Fact
1Honeymooned with husband Dennis Holahan in Egypt. Became stepmother to his teenaged children, Nicholas and Belle.
2She is also a surrogate mother and a good friend to Alan Alda's three daughters: Eve, Elizabeth and Beatrice.
3Best friends with Alan Alda.
4Honored by the Pacific Pioneer Broadcaster in celebration of her career, which took place at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, California. [September 2008]
5Loretta Swit is starring in the world premiere performance of a comedy written by Mark Miller. The play is being performed at the renowned Alhambra Dinner Theatre, which is the oldest and longest-running dinner theatre in America. [August 2010]
6Up until Harry Morgan's death on 7 December 2011, he was her best friend and neighbor for years. Morgan co-starred with Swit on M*A*S*H (1972).
7Is vegan.
8Best remembered by the public for her role as "Maj. Margaret Houlihan" on TV's M*A*S*H (1972) (1972-1983).
9Has her own line of jewelry which she has sold at jewelry shows across the nation.
10Her outspoken stand against the killing of fur-bearing animals for high-fashion wear has been rewarded with acknowledgments from the American Humane Society and the Animal Protection Institute of America. In addition, she teamed with Robert Redford for a PBS special centering on animal species that were threatened with extinction and is an active board member for Actors and Others for Animals, and other similar organizations.
11During a M*A*S*H (1972) season hiatus, Loretta starred as "Chris Cagney" in the pilot episode of Cagney & Lacey (1981) in 1981. She wanted to leave the show, which was in its ninth season, to star as the police officer when the pilot was picked up. The "M*A*S*H" producers, however, wouldn't let her go. Meg Foster subbed in for Loretta, who in turn was replaced by Sharon Gless.
12Wears a size 7 shoe.
13Wrote a book on needlepoint.
14Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989.
15Is Polish
16Wanted to leave M*A*S*H (1972) after the 8th season, but FOX wouldn't let her out of her contract. She has said that she wanted to star in the series Cagney & Lacey (1981), after she made the pilot movie, but her MASH commitment prevented her from doing so.

Pictures

Movies

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Beach Movie1998Mrs. Jones
Diagnosis Murder1998TV SeriesMaggie Dennings
Cow and Chicken1997TV SeriesJudge
Forest Warrior1996Shirley
Burke's Law1995TV SeriesEvelyn Turner
Murder, She Wrote1994TV SeriesKim Mitchell
The Big Battalions1992TV Mini-SeriesCora Lynne
A Killer Among Friends1992TV MovieDet. Patricia Staley
Batman: The Animated Series1992TV SeriesMarcia Cates
Hell Hath No Fury1991TV Movie
A Matter of Principle1990TV MovieJanet Short
ABC Afterschool Specials1989TV SeriesWanda Karpinsky
Whoops Apocalypse1988President Barbara Adams
14 Going on 301988TV MovieMiss Horton
Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story1986TV MovieDeo Fisher
Miracle at Moreaux1985TV MovieSister Gabrielle
Beer1985B.D. Tucker
Sam1985TV MovieSamantha Flynn
The Execution1985TV MovieMarysia Walenka
The Love Boat1977-1984TV SeriesKathy Ross / Anoushka Mishancov / Terry Larsen
First Affair1983TV MovieJane Simon
M*A*S*H1972-1983TV SeriesMaj. Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever1983TV MovieGrace Bradley
Games Mother Never Taught You1982TV MovieLaura Bentells
The Kid from Nowhere1982TV MovieCaroline Baker
Cagney & Lacey1981TV SeriesDet. Christine Cagney
S.O.B.1981Polly Reed
The Love Tapes1980TV MovieSamantha Young
Valentine1979TV MovieEmily
Friendships, Secrets and Lies1979TV MovieB.J.
Mirror, Mirror1979TV MovieSandy McLaren
Supertrain1979TV SeriesAlice Phillips
The Hostage Heart1977TV MovieChris LeBlanc
Good Heavens1976TV SeriesMaxine
Rickles1975TV MovieMajor Hotlips Houlihan
Race with the Devil1975Alice
It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman!1975TV MovieSydney
The Last Day1975TV MovieDaisy
Freebie and the Bean1974Mildred - Meyers' Wife
Petrocelli1974TV SeriesElla Knox
Tony Orlando and Dawn1974TV Series
Policewomen1974Police Clerk (uncredited)
Love, American Style1972-1973TV SeriesMary Beth Scoggins (segment "Love and the Locksmith") / Doris (segment "Love and the Pick-Up Fantasy")
Shirts/Skins1973TV MovieLinda Bush
Ironside1973TV SeriesSally Pearson
Deadhead Miles1973Lady with Glass Eye
Stand Up and Be Counted1972Hilary McBride
Bonanza1972TV SeriesEllen Sue Greely
Fireball Forward1972TV MovieNurse (uncredited)
Hawaii Five-O1969-1972TV SeriesWanda Russell / Betty / Anna
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors1971TV SeriesRosalyn
Cade's County1971TV SeriesGinny Lomax
Gunsmoke1970TV SeriesDonna / Belle Clark
Mannix1970TV SeriesJill Packard / Dorothy Harker
Mission: Impossible1970TV SeriesMidge Larson

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
M*A*S*HTV Series 1 episode, 1975 performer - 12 episodes, 1972 - 1981
It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman!1975TV Movie performer: "You've Got Possibilities", "Ooh, Do You Love You!"

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1973TV SeriesHerself
The 15th Annual TV Week Logie Awards1973TV SpecialHerself
Never the Same: The Prisoner-of-War Experience2013DocumentaryNarrator (voice)
The 11th Annual Canadian Comedy Awards2010TV SpecialHerself - Presenter
The Real M*A*S*H2010TV MovieHerself
The 7th Annual TV Land Awards2009TV SpecialHerself
Entertainment Tonight2009TV SeriesHerself
23rd Annual Genesis Awards2009TV SpecialHerself
The 21st Annual Genesis Awards2007VideoHerself
Comic Relief 20062006TV Special documentaryHerself (uncredited)
The 4th Annual TV Land Awards2006TV SpecialMajor Hot Lips Houlihan
The 100 Most Unexpected TV Moments2005TV Mini-Series documentaryHerself
Battle of the Network Reality Stars2005TV SeriesHerself
The 100 Most Memorable TV Moments2004TV Mini-Series documentaryHerself
Hollywood Squares1999-2004TV SeriesHerself - Panelist
Pyramid2004TV SeriesHerself
CBS at 752003TV Special documentaryHerself
Biography1997-2003TV Series documentaryHerself
'M*A*S*H': 30th Anniversary Reunion2002TV Movie documentaryHerself / Major Hotlips Houlihan
M*A*S*H: TV Tales2002TV Special documentaryHerself
TV Tales2002TV SeriesHerself
The British Comedy Awards 20012001TV SpecialHerself
So Graham Norton2001TV SeriesHerself
TV Land Presents Blast from the Past2001Video Game documentaryHerself
History vs. Hollywood2001TV Series documentaryHerself
TV Guide's Truth Behind the Sitcom Scandals 32000TV Movie documentaryHerself
Intimate Portrait1993TV Series documentaryNarrator
Bob Hope's America: Red, White and Beautiful1992TV SpecialHerself
One on One with John Tesh1992TV SeriesHerself
Memories of M*A*S*H1991TV Movie documentaryHerself / Major Hotlips Houlihan
Safe House1989Video documentary
The 10th Annual National CableACE Awards1989TV SpecialHerself
The 2nd Annual American Comedy Awards1988TV SpecialHerself - Audience Member
A Christmas Calendar1987TV MovieHerself
Win, Lose or Draw1987TV SeriesHerself
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood1987TV Special documentaryHerself
Aspel & Company1987TV SeriesHerself
On the Edge of Extinction: Panthers and Cheetahs1987TV Movie documentaryHerself - Host
Jacques Cousteau: The First 75 Years1986DocumentaryHerself
Fame, Fortune and Romance1986TV SeriesHerself
Working in the Theatre1986TV Series documentaryHerself
The Mysterious Black-Footed Ferret1986TV Movie documentaryHerself - Host
Wogan1985TV SeriesHerself
The 37th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1985TV SpecialHerself - Performer
Muppet Video: The Kermit and Piggy Story1985VideoHerself
Your Choice for the Film Awards1984TV SpecialHerself - Presenter
The 10th Annual People's Choice Awards1984TV SpecialHerself - Presenter
Animals Are the Funniest People1983TV MovieHerself - Host
The 35th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1983TV SpecialHerself - Nominated: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Variety or Music Series
The 9th Annual People's Choice Awards1983TV SpecialHerself - Accepting Award for Favourite Television Comedy Program
Texaco Star Theater: Opening Night1983TV MovieHerself
The 34th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1982TV SpecialHerself - Winner: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series
The 28th Annual Genii Awards1982TV SpecialHerself
The 8th Annual People's Choice Awards1982TV SpecialHerself - Accepting Award for Favourite Television Comedy Program
The 39th Annual Golden Globe Awards1982TV Special documentaryHerself
The 33rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1981TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series & Presenter: Outstanding Drama Series
Making 'M*A*S*H'1981TV Movie documentaryHerself
The Bob Hope Christmas Show and All-Star Comedy Special1980TV MovieHerself
CBS All American Thanksgiving Day Parade1980TV SpecialHerself
The Muppet Show1980TV SeriesHerself - Special Guest Star
The 32nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1980TV SpecialHerself - Winner: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series
Perry Como's Bahamas Holiday1980TV SpecialHerself
The Big Show1980TV SeriesHerself - Hostess
Password Plus1979-1980TV SeriesHerself - Celebrity Contestant
The Hollywood Squares1972-1980TV SeriesHerself - Panelist
The 37th Annual Golden Globe Awards1980TV SpecialHerself
The 6th People's Choice Awards1980TV SpecialHerself - Accepting Favourite TV Comedy Award
Circus of the Stars #41979TV Special documentaryHerself - Ringmaster
The 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1979TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Comedy-Variety or Music Series
The Mike Douglas Show1974-1979TV SeriesHerself - Actress / Herself - Co-Host
The $10,000 Pyramid1973-1979TV SeriesHerself - Celebrity Contestant
The $25,000 Pyramid1978TV SeriesHerself - Celebrity Contestant
The 30th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1978TV SpecialHerself - Nominated: Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Donny and Marie1976-1978TV SeriesHerself
Battle of the Network Stars III1977TV SpecialHerself - CBS Team
Battle of the Network Stars II1977TV SpecialHimself - CBS Team
The Captain and Tennille1976-1977TV SeriesHerself
88th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade1977TV MovieHerself - CBS Hostess
Dinah!1974-1976TV SeriesHerself / Herself - Guest
Battle of the Network Stars1976TV SpecialHerself - CBS Team
Liar's Club1976TV SeriesHerself
I've Got a Secret1976TV SeriesHerself - Panelist
The Lion Roars Again1975Documentary shortHerself
Match Game PM1975TV SeriesHerself - Panelist
The Jim Stafford Show1975TV SeriesHerself
Celebrity Bowling1975TV SeriesHerself
You Don't Say1975TV SeriesHerself
Blankety Blanks1975TV SeriesHerself
Don Adams' Screen Test1975TV Series
Celebrity Sweepstakes1974TV SeriesHerself
The Merv Griffin Show1974TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Match Game 731973-1974TV SeriesHerself - Panelist
Password All-Stars1973TV SeriesHerself - Celebrity Contestant
The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour1973TV SeriesHerself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Paul Williams Still Alive2011DocumentaryHerself
La imagen de tu vida2006TV SeriesMajor Hotlips Houlihan
Bob Hope's Bag Full of Christmas Memories1993TV SpecialHerself - 'Silver Bells'
Muppet Video: Rock Music with the Muppets1985VideoHerself
Bob Hope's Unrehearsed Antics of the Stars1984DocumentaryHerself
Of Muppets and Men: The Making of 'The Muppet Show'1981TV Movie documentaryHerself

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2009Impact AwardTV Land AwardsM*A*S*H (1972)
1989Star on the Walk of FameWalk of FameTelevisionOn 1 August 1989. At 6240 Hollywood Blvd.
1983People's Choice AwardPeople's Choice Awards, USAFavorite Female TV PerformerTied with Linda Evans
1982Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music SeriesM*A*S*H (1972)
1980Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music SeriesM*A*S*H (1972)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1983Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionM*A*S*H (1972)
1983Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Variety or Music SeriesM*A*S*H (1972)
1982Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or MusicalM*A*S*H (1972)
1981Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music SeriesM*A*S*H (1972)
1980Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or MusicalM*A*S*H (1972)
1979Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Comedy-Variety or Music SeriesM*A*S*H (1972)
1978Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesM*A*S*H (1972)
1977Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesM*A*S*H (1972)
1976Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesM*A*S*H (1972)
1975Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesM*A*S*H (1972)
1974Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Supporting Actress - TelevisionM*A*S*H (1972)
1974Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsBest Supporting Actress in ComedyM*A*S*H (1972)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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