M*A*S*H star Loretta Swit – who played Major Margaret Houlihan on the CBS show – has died, aged 87, it’s been announced this week, with the news prompting tributes to the actor

M*A*S*H icon Loretta Swit has died. She is said to have died at her home in New York City. Her representative, Harlan Boll, has claimed that the New York Police Department stated that the actor died earlier today of suspected natural causes.

Loretta is best known for playing Major Margaret Houlihan on M*A*S*H, which ran for 11 seasons on CBS from 1972 to 1983. She took over the role from the late Sally Kellerman, who starred as the character in the film M*A*S*H (1970).

She’s previously shared that, amid character development and comedy within the show, she called for Margaret to be portrayed in a particular way. Loretta told Studio 10 in 2015: “I kept demanding that she never lose her integrity as a head nurse. […] I can be funny but I can still have integrity.”

It’s been announced that M*A*S*H actor Loretta Swit (right), pictured with co-stars Alan Alda (left) and the late Wayne Rogers (centre), has died ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Her decades-long career also included roles in shows like Hawaii Five-O, Mission: Impossible and the Love Boat in the 1970s. Loretta continued to act in the years since M*A*S*H, with her latest credit said to be the film Play the Flute (2019).

She also originated the role of police detective Christine Cagney on-screen in the pilot movie for Cagney & Lacey in 1981. She didn’t appear in the subsequent TV series though, reportedly due to contractual obligations to M*A*S*H.

Meg Foster replaced her in the first season in 1982, starring alongside Tyne Daly, who remained in the role of Mary Beth Lacey. Sharon Gless is most associated with the role of Cagney though, after taking over from Meg in the second season and appearing until the final season in 1988.

Tributes have been paid to acclaimed actor Loretta on social media this week following the news of her death ( 
Image:
Bruce Glikas/Getty Images)
Loretta, who’s also considered an animal activist alongside her acting work, is being remembered in tributes following the news of her death. Many fans have referenced her role on M*A*S*H in their posts about the acclaimed actor.

One fan wrote on X earlier: “Rest in peace [Loretta]. A truly phenomenal actress who will be deeply missed…” Sharing their reaction, another person said in a post: “May you Rest in Peace Loretta. You are off duty now.”

Someone else wrote: “This is absolutely devastating news… Loretta Swit was an amazing human being. Exceptional on-screen and off-screen. Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen Loretta.”

Whilst one fan said: “R.I.P [Loretta], thank you for the memories.” Someone wrote in their tribute: “The great Loretta Swit has died. Our Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan. Farewell, Loretta. Thank you for sharing your time with us.”

Another person posted following the news: “No character evolves more across 11 seasons of M*A*S*H than Major Margaret Houlihan. Loretta Swit made it believable.”