Loretta Swit Dead at 87: ‘M*A*S*H’ Costars Alan Alda and Mike Farrell Pay Tribute

The television community mourns the loss of Loretta Swit, best known for her iconic role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on 'M*A*S*H'. Swit passed away at age 87 due to natural causes, confirmed by her publicist.

Alan Alda, who played Dr. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce on ‘M*A*S*H’, shared a heartfelt tribute on X (formerly Twitter): “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.” Alda praised Swit for transforming her character from a “one joke sexist stereotype” into a multi-dimensional woman with genuine ambition and emotion. He added, “We celebrated the day the script came out listing her character not as Hot Lips, but as Margaret.”

Swit and Alda uniquely appeared in both the pilot and finale of ‘M*A*S*H’, which aired from 1972 to 1983 and remains one of TV's most-watched series. The dynamic between their characters was central to the show’s emotional core.

Mike Farrell, who joined ‘M*A*S*H’ in season 4 as B.J. Hunnicutt, paid tribute with a simple message alongside a black-and-white photo of Swit: “Loretta … 1937-2025🖤.”

With Swit’s passing, only a few original cast members remain, including Alda, Farrell, Jamie Farr, and Gary Burghoff, reflecting the lasting bond forged by the series.

Beyond her Emmy-winning acting career, Swit was also admired for her humanitarian work and activism. Her talent and warmth made a lasting impact on television and inspired many women.

As tributes continue, Loretta Swit’s spirit and legacy will be cherished by fans and the entertainment community alike.

Source: https://teknolojibura.com/loretta-swit-dead-at-87-mash-costars-alan-alda-and-mike-farrell-pay-tribute/