Loretta Swit, Beloved M*A*S*H Star, Passes Away at 87

Loretta Swit, acclaimed for her performance on M*A*S*H, died at her New York home, likely from natural causes.

M*A*S*H star Loretta Swit, known for her iconic role as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan, has sadly passed away at the age of 87. Her representative, Harlan Boll, confirmed that she died in her home in New York on Friday. Preliminary reports suggest that she likely died of natural causes, although an official coroner's report is still pending.

Swit's portrayal of the fiercely dedicated U.S. Army nurse in the beloved television series earned her two Emmy Awards and garnered immense admiration from audiences. M*A*S*H captivated viewers for 11 seasons, airing from 1974 to 1983, as it depicted life at a mobile Army surgical hospital during the Korean War. Swit appeared in nearly all the episodes and was part of the series finale, which holds the record for the most-watched episode in U.S. television history, with 106 million viewers.

Throughout her successful career, Swit was nominated for an array of accolades and appeared not only in M*A*S*H but also in various TV shows, films, and game shows. She showcased her talents on Broadway with performances in productions like "Same Time, Next Year," "Mame," and "Shirley Valentine." Reflecting on her craft, Swit once stated in an interview, "Acting is not hiding to me, it's revealing. We give you license to feel; that's the most important thing in the world, because when you stop feeling, that's when you're dead." The entertainment world mourns the loss of a true talent and a cherished icon.