Loretta Swit Dead at 87: *M*A*S*H* Stars Pay Tribute to Their Co-Star
Loretta Swit, beloved for her role in *M*A*S*H*, has died at 87, prompting heartfelt tributes from co-stars like Alan Alda and Mike Farrell. Alda praised Swit’s extraordinary talent and her role in shaping her character. Swit’s passing appears due to natural causes, and she leaves behind a storied legacy, including two Emmy wins and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The entertainment world lost a true icon as Loretta Swit, best known for her role on the beloved TV series MASH*, passed away at the age of 87. Tributes came pouring in from fellow cast members, with Alan Alda leading the charge. He remembered Swit fondly, sharing on X: “Loretta was a supremely talented actor. She deserved all her 10 EMMY nominations and her 2 wins. But more than acting her part, she created it.”
Swit’s time on MASH*, which spanned from 1972 to 1983 over 11 seasons, saw her portray the memorable character Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan, alongside Alda’s Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce. Both Swit and Alda made history by being the only actors present from the pilot all the way to the finale. Alda reflected on how they celebrated together when Swit transitioned her character from a name that felt like a punchline to one with depth, saying, “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.”
Mike Farrell, who joined the cast later on as B.J. Hunnicutt, took to Instagram to pay his respects as well, posting a heartwarming black-and-white photo of Swit with just the dates “1937-2025”. Pretty simple, yet profoundly touching. The only other surviving cast members are Jamie Farr and Gary Burghoff, making these memories even more precious.
News of Swit’s passing broke on Friday, with her publicist telling The Hollywood Reporter that it seemed to be the result of natural causes. Swit will forever be remembered for her groundbreaking portrayal that earned her two Emmy Awards. Oh, and let’s not forget that star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame she received in 1989!
Reflecting on her character’s evolution, Swit once shared, “Certain things had to remain the same. She had to remain one of the antagonists because that was the structure of the show.” It wasn’t until the second season that we saw the cracks in the facade of the strong and stunning Hot Lips. Her character’s journey was one filled with complexity, as her unhappiness in her relationships became central to the plot. She noted that her divorce and her affair with Hawkeye altered their rivalry forever.
After MASH, Swit didn’t shy from the spotlight, appearing in various TV movies and game shows like Match Game, Pyramid, and Hollywood Squares. Her final role was in the 2019 film Play the Flute*, further showcasing her undying passion for performance. No doubt, she will be missed.
Loretta Swit’s passing at 87 has left fans and fellow actors mourning a beloved talent. Tributes from cast mates like Alan Alda and Mike Farrell capture the essence of not just her acting, but her ability to transform roles into relatable characters. After an iconic tenure on *M*A*S*H* and numerous appearances post-show, her legacy in Hollywood is undeniable and will be cherished by many.
Original Source: www.usmagazine.com
