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MASH star Swit dead at 87

Loretta Swit, who starred in MASH, has died.

Multiple media outlets report she passed away Friday of suspected natural causes at her home in New York City

She was 87.

Swit won two Emmy Awards for her groundbreaking portrayal of the head nurse, Major Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan on the hit TV show.

The comedy, which was centred around a medical army unit during the Korean war, aired for 11 seasons in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Swit also acted in movies such as Freebie and the Bean and BoardHeads, and in theatre productions including Same Time, Next Year on Broadway and Mame in Las Vegas.

She was also a passionate animal activist through her SwitHeart Animal Alliance and her book of animal portraits to raise donations for charities and programs to end animal suffering.


  • Kelli Rickard began her broadcasting career nearly 40 years ago and has worked at radio stations in New Brunswick, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Based in Halifax, she anchors morning newscasts and covers stories across Nova Scotia. Contact Kelli at rickardk@radioabl.ca.

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11:52 pm, Apr 9, 2026
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