Loretta Swit

Biography

Loretta Swit, born Loretta Jane Swit on November 4, 1937, in Passaic, New Jersey, is an American stage and television actress renowned for her character roles. She gained widespread recognition for portraying Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the television series M*A*S*H from 1972 to 1983, earning two Emmy Awards for her performance. Swit studied acting under Gene Frankel and trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her stage credits include productions such as Any Wednesday, Same Time, Next Year, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Swit has also toured with The Vagina Monologues and starred in the North Carolina Theatre's production of Mame. A passionate advocate for animal rights, she has written a book on needlepoint and supports various animal-related causes. Swit was previously married to actor Dennis Holahan from 1983 to 1995 and remains single without children.