Loretta Swit, best known for her pioneering portrayal of Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the iconic sitcom MASH, has passed away at the age of 87. According to a police report, Swit died just after midnight on Friday due to suspected natural causes at her home in New York City. Swit’s performance as the disciplined Army nurse earned her two Emmy Awards, with the actress receiving a total of 10 nominations during the show’s 11-season run. She was one of only two actors, along with Alan Alda as Hawkeye Pierce, to appear in both the pilot and series finale of MASH, which remains one of the most-watched TV events in history. Swit also appeared in films life Freebie and the Bean, Race With the Devil, and S.O.B. She was initially cast as Cagney in the pilot for the series Cagney & Lacey, but contractual obligations to MASH prevented her from continuing with the role when the show was picked up by CBS. (THR)
