Loretta Swit

Last updated

Loretta Swit
Loretta Swit MASH 1972.JPG
Born
Loretta Jane Szwed

(1937-11-04) November 4, 1937 (age 86)
Education
OccupationActress
Years active1967–present
Known for
Spouse
(m. 1983;div. 1995)
Signature
Loretta Swit - signature.svg

Loretta Jane Swit (born Loretta Jane Szwed; November 4, 1937) is an American stage and television actress known for her character roles. Swit is best known for her portrayal of Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on M*A*S*H , for which she won two Emmy Awards.

Contents

Early life

Loretta Swit was born on November 4, 1937, [1] in Passaic, New Jersey, to Lester and Nellie Szwed (née Kassack), who were both of Polish descent. Her father was a salesman and upholsterer. Swit's brother, Robert, was six years and one day her senior. [2] As a child, Swit was a member of a Girl Scout troop sponsored by the Holy Rosary R.C. Church of Passaic, known as the Holy Rosary Scouts. [3]

She graduated from Pope Pius XII High School in Passaic in 1955, where she had been a cheerleader, had taken part in theatrical productions, and was co-captain of the women's basketball team. [4] [5] She graduated from Katharine Gibbs School in Montclair, New Jersey, in June 1957, then was employed at a variety of clerical jobs, including as a stenographer in Bloomfield, New Jersey; personal secretary to Elsa Maxwell; secretary to the ambassador from Ghana to the United Nations; and at the American Rocket Society in New York City while being trained to dance by a classmate, Elizabeth Parent-Barber, a Rockette and student at the New York School of Ballet. During this time, she began developing her acting career. [6]

She studied drama with Gene Frankel in Manhattan in New York City and considered him her acting coach. She regularly returned to his studio to speak with aspiring actors throughout her career. Swit is also a singer, having trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. [7]

Theatre

Swit's first off-Broadway appearance was in the Actor's Playhouse production of "An Enemy of the People." In 1961, Swit landed a role in the Circle in the Square production of "The Balcony", written by Jean Genet and produced by José Quintero. [6]

In 1967, Swit toured with the national company of Any Wednesday , starring Gardner McKay. She continued as one of the Pigeon sisters opposite Don Rickles and Ernest Borgnine in a Los Angeles run of The Odd Couple .

In 1975, Swit played in Same Time, Next Year on Broadway opposite Ted Bessell. [8] She also performed on Broadway in The Mystery of Edwin Drood . From there, she played Agnes Gooch in the Las Vegas version of Mame , starring Susan Hayward and later, Celeste Holm.

She has played Shirley Valentine, a one-woman play, since the 1990s into the 2010s, appearing in a variety of locales and revivals. [9] [10]

In October–November 2003, she starred as the title character in North Carolina Theatre's production of Mame in Raleigh, North Carolina. [11]

In August–September 2010, Swit starred in the world premiere of the Mark Miller play Amorous Crossings at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre in Jacksonville, Florida, directed by Tod Booth.

In 2016, Swit appeared in Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at Totem Pole Playhouse in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania. [12]

In 2017, Swit appeared in Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks in Buffalo, New York.[ citation needed ]

Television

When Swit arrived in Hollywood in 1969, she performed guest roles in various television series, including Hawaii Five-O (her first TV credit), Gunsmoke , Mission: Impossible , and Mannix .

M*A*S*H

The cast of M*A*S*H (1974); clockwise from left: Larry Linville, Swit, Wayne Rogers, Gary Burghoff, McLean Stevenson, and Alan Alda. MASH TV cast 1974.JPG
The cast of M*A*S*H (1974); clockwise from left: Larry Linville, Swit, Wayne Rogers, Gary Burghoff, McLean Stevenson, and Alan Alda.
The cast of M*A*S*H (1977); back row, L-R: William Christopher, Gary Burghoff, David Ogden Stiers, and Jamie Farr. Front: Swit, Harry Morgan, Alan Alda, and Mike Farrell. MASH Cast 1977.JPG
The cast of M*A*S*H (1977); back row, L-R: William Christopher, Gary Burghoff, David Ogden Stiers, and Jamie Farr. Front: Swit, Harry Morgan, Alan Alda, and Mike Farrell.

Starting in 1972, Swit played the extremely capable head nurse Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in the television series M*A*S*H , a comedy set in a US Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. Swit inherited the star-making role from actress Sally Kellerman, who had portrayed Houlihan in the feature film. In the first few seasons, her character was single and blindly patriotic, and she had no friends among the camp surgeons and nurses, with the notable exception of her married lover, Major Frank Burns, portrayed by Larry Linville. Over time, her character was considerably softened. She married a lieutenant colonel but divorced soon after. She became good friends with her fellow officers, and her attitude towards the Koreans in and around the camp became more enlightened. The change reflected that of the series in general, from absurdist dark humor to mature comedy-drama. Swit was one of only four cast members to stay for all 11 seasons of the show, from 1972 to 1983 (the others are Alan Alda, Jamie Farr, and William Christopher).

Swit and Alda were the only actors to have been in both the pilot episode and the finale; she appeared in all but 11 of the total of 256 episodes. Swit received two Emmy Awards for her work on M*A*S*H.

Her favorite episodes are "Hot Lips and Empty Arms", "Margaret's Engagement", and "The Nurses". [13]

She also had a close relationship with Harry Morgan, who played Colonel Sherman T. Potter. They became neighbors after the series ended, until his death on December 7, 2011. [14] Swit continues to stay close to Alda, along with his wife, three daughters, and seven grandchildren. [15]

Cagney & Lacey

In 1981, Swit played the role of Christine Cagney in the movie pilot for the television series Cagney & Lacey but was precluded by contractual obligations from continuing the role. Actress Meg Foster portrayed Cagney for the first six episodes of the television series, then Sharon Gless took over the role.

Other TV work

Swit also guest-starred in shows such as Bonanza ; The Love Boat ; Win, Lose or Draw ; Password ; Gunsmoke ; Match Game ; Pyramid ; The Muppet Show ; and Hollywood Squares . In one episode of Match Game, Swit wrote the Polish greeting "Dzień dobry" (even with the diacritical mark) on her card during the introduction. She also starred in Christmas programs such as the television version of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and 1987's PBS special A Christmas Calendar . [16] In 1988, she hosted Korean War—The Untold Story, a documentary on the true events of the war, and went to South Korea to film it, becoming the first M*A*S*H cast member to actually visit the country, outside of Jamie Farr and Alan Alda, who both served there in the mid-1950s while members of the US Army. In 1992, she hosted the 26-part series Those Incredible Animals on the Discovery Channel. Swit's latest appearance was on GSN Live on October 10, 2008.

She was also in the TV movie The Last Day (1975), with Richard Widmark and Robert Conrad.[ citation needed ]

Swit guest-starred with Mike Connors in Mannix , Episode 78, Season 4, "Figures in a Landscape", written by Paul Krasny and directed by Donn Mullally, originally airing on October 10, 1970.

Swit guest-starred in the Hawaii Five-O episode "Bait Once, Bait Twice", on January 4, 1972. She also played Wanda Russell in the Hawaii Five-O episode titled "Three Dead Cows at Makapuu", which aired February 25, 1970.

Personal life

Swit with her book, 2019. Loretta Swit 2019.jpg
Swit with her book, 2019.

Swit was once linked with musician Bill Hudson. [17] She married actor Dennis Holahan in 1983 and divorced him in 1995. Holahan played Per Johannsen, a Swedish diplomat who became briefly involved with Swit's character in an episode of M*A*S*H.

Swit is an animal rights activist. [18] [19] She was a vegetarian for many years before becoming a vegan in 1981. [20]

Swit wrote a book on needlepoint, titled A Needlepoint Scrapbook. [21]

Filmography

Film

Loretta Swit film credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
1972 Stand Up and Be Counted Hilary McBride
1973 Deadhead Miles Lady With Glass Eye
1974 Policewomen Police clerkUncredited
1974 Freebie and the Bean Mildred Meyers, Red's Wife
1975 Race with the Devil Alice
1981 S.O.B. Polly Reed
1985 Beer B.D. Tucker
1986 Whoops Apocalypse President Barbara Adams
1996 Forest Warrior Shirley
1998Beach MovieMrs. Jones
2019Play the FluteMrs. Kincaid

Television

Loretta Swit television credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
1969–1972 Hawaii Five-O Anna Schreuder / Wanda Russell / Betty4 episodes
1970 Mission: Impossible Midge LarsonEpisode: "Homecoming"
1970 Mannix Dorothy Harker / Jill PackardEpisodes: "Only One Death to a Customer" (Season 3-Episode 20), "Figures in a Landscape" (Season 4-Episode 04)
1970 Gunsmoke Belle Clark / DonnaEpisodes: "The Pack Rat", "Snow Train" (Parts 1 & 2)
1971 Cade's County Ginny LomaxEpisode: "Homecoming"
1971 The Bold Ones: The New Doctors RosalynEpisode: "The Convicts"
1972Fireball ForwardNurse (uncredited)TV movie
1972 Bonanza Ellen Sue GreelyEpisode: "A Visit to Upright"
1972 Young Dr. Kildare AliceEpisode: "The Nature of the Beast"
1972–1983 M*A*S*H Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan Main cast
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (1980, 1982)
People's Choice Award for Favorite Female TV Performer (1983)
Nominated– Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (1974–79, 1981, 1983)
Nominated– Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (1980, 1982)
Nominated– Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (1974, 1983)
1972 Love, American Style DorisSegment "Love and the Pick-Up Fantasy"
1973 Ironside Sally PearsonEpisode: "Ollinger's Last Case"
1973 Match Game HerselfGame Show Participant / Celebrity Guest Star
1973Shirts/SkinsLinda BushTV movie
1973 Love, American Style Mary Beth ScogginsSegment "Love and the Locksmith"
1973–1979 Pyramid Herself90 episodes
1973–1979 Match Game Herself51 episodes
1973–1979 The Mike Douglas Show Herself6 episodes
1974 Petrocelli Ella KnoxEpisode: "By Reason of Madness"
1974 The Merv Griffin Show Herself1 episode
1975The Last DayDaisyTV movie
1975 It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman SydneyTV movie
1975Rickles Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan TV special
1975 The Bobby Vinton Show Herself1 episode
1975 Celebrity Bowling Herself2 episodes
1976 Good Heavens MaxineEpisode: "Good Neighbor Maxine"
1977 The Hostage Heart Chris LeBlancTV movie
1977–1978 The Love Boat Terry Larsen / Anoushka Mishancov2 episodes
1979 Supertrain Alice PhillipsEpisode: "Hail to the Chief"
1979 Mirror, Mirror Sandy McLarenTV movie
1979Friendships, Secrets and LiesB.J.TV movie
1979ValentineEmilyTV movie
1979–1980 Password Plus HerselfGame Show Contestant / Celebrity Guest Star (4 episodes)
1980The Love TapesSamantha YoungTV movie
1981 Cagney & Lacey Detective Christine CagneyTV movie
1982The Kid from NowhereCaroline BakerTV movie
1982Games Mother Never Taught YouLaura BentellsTV movie
1983 First Affair Jane SimonTV movie
1983 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Grace BradleyTV movie
1984 The Love Boat Kathy RossEpisode: "My Mother, My Chaperone/The Present/The Death and Life of Sir Albert Demerest/Welcome Aboard"
1985The ExecutionMarysia WalenkaTV movie
1985SamSamantha FlynnTV pilot episode
1985 Miracle at Moreaux Sister GabrielleTV movie
1986 Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story Deo FisherTV movie
1987 A Christmas Calendar Herself (Host)TV special
1988 14 Going on 30 Miss Louisa HortonTV movie
1988 Dolly LuWanda NovackEpisode: "#1.19"
1989 ABC Afterschool Special Wanda KarpinskyEpisode: "My Dad Can't Be Crazy... Can He?"
1990A Matter of PrincipleJane ShortTV movie
1991 Hell Hath No Fury Connie StewartTV movie
1991 Memories of M*A*S*H Herself / Major Margaret "Hot Lips" HoulihanTV special
1992 Batman: The Animated Series Marcia Cates (voice)Episode: "Mad as a Hatter"
1992 A Killer Among Friends Detective Patricia StaleyTV movie
1992The Big BattalionsCora LynneTV miniseries
1994 Murder, She Wrote Kim MitchellEpisode: "Portrait of Death"
1995 Burke's Law Evelyn TurnerEpisode: "Who Killed the Sweet Smell of Success?"
1997 Cow and Chicken Judge (voice)Episode: "Space Cow/The Legend of Sailcat"
1998 Diagnosis: Murder Maggie DenningsEpisode: "Drill for Death"
1999–2004 Hollywood Squares Herself6 episodes
2002 M*A*S*H: 30th Anniversary Reunion Herself / Major Margaret "Hot Lips" HoulihanTV special

Awards and honors

Published works

Related Research Articles

<i>The Muppet Show</i> British-American variety television show (1976–1981)

The Muppet Show is a British-American variety sketch comedy television series created by Jim Henson and starring the Muppets. The series originated as two pilot episodes produced by Henson for ABC in 1974 and 1975. While neither episode was moved forward as a series and other networks in the United States rejected Henson's proposals, British producer Lew Grade expressed enthusiasm for the project and agreed to co-produce The Muppet Show for the British station ATV. Five seasons, totalling 120 episodes, were broadcast on ATV and other ITV franchises in the United Kingdom and in first-run syndication in the United States from 1976 to 1981. The programme was produced and recorded at the ATV Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Farr</span> American actor and comedian (born 1934)

Jamie Farr is an American comedian and actor. He is best known for playing Corporal Klinger, a soldier who tried getting discharged from the army by cross-dressing, on the CBS sitcom M*A*S*H. After M*A*S*H, Farr reprised the role of Klinger for AfterMASH and appeared both in small roles on popular shows such as The Love Boat and as a host or panelist on game shows including Battle of the Network Stars. He was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne Rogers</span> American actor (1933–2015)

William Wayne McMillan Rogers III was an American actor, known for playing the role of Captain "Trapper" John McIntyre in the CBS television series M*A*S*H and as Dr. Charley Michaels on House Calls (1979–1982).

<i>M*A*S*H</i> (TV series) American war comedy-drama TV series (1972–1983)

M*A*S*H is an American war comedy drama television series that aired on CBS from September 17, 1972, to February 28, 1983. It was developed by Larry Gelbart as the first original spin-off series adapted from the 1970 feature film M*A*S*H, which, in turn, was based on Richard Hooker's 1968 novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors. The series, which was produced with 20th Century Fox Television for CBS, follows a team of doctors and support staff stationed at the "4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital" in Uijeongbu, South Korea, during the Korean War (1950–53).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salome Jens</span> American actress

Salome Jens is an American dancer and actress of stage, film and television. She is perhaps best known for portraying the Female Changeling on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1994–1999).

<i>Cagney & Lacey</i> American police procedural television series (1982–1988)

Cagney & Lacey is an American police procedural drama television series that aired on the CBS television network for seven seasons from March 25, 1982, to May 16, 1988. The show is about two New York City police detectives who lead very different lives: Christine Cagney is a career-minded single woman, while Mary Beth Lacey is a married working mother. The series is set in a fictionalized version of Manhattan's 14th Precinct. The pilot movie had Loretta Swit in the role of Cagney, while the first six episodes had Meg Foster in the role. When the show was revived for a full-season run, Gless portrayed the role for six consecutive years. Each year during that time, one of the two lead actresses won the Emmy for Best Lead Actress in a Drama, a winning streak matched only once since in any major category by a show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyne Daly</span> American actress (born 1946)

Ellen Tyne Daly is an American actress. Over her six decade career she is known for her leading roles on stage and screen. She has won six Emmy Awards for her television work, a Tony Award, and is a 2011 American Theatre Hall of Fame inductee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharon Gless</span> American actress (born 1943)

Sharon Marguerite Gless is an American actress known for her television roles. She portrayed Maggie Philbin on Switch (1975–78), Sgt. Christine Cagney in the police procedural drama series Cagney & Lacey (1982–88), and played the title role in The Trials of Rosie O'Neill (1990–92). She was Debbie Novotny in the Showtime cable television series Queer as Folk (2000–2005) and Madeline Westen on Burn Notice (2007–2013).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patricia Richardson</span> American actress

Patricia Castle Richardson is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Jill Taylor on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement, for which she was nominated four times for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and twice for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical. She also received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her performance in Ulee's Gold (1997).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McLean Stevenson</span> American actor (1927–1996)

Edgar McLean Stevenson Jr. was an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his role as Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake in the television series M*A*S*H, which earned him a Golden Globe Award in 1974. Stevenson also appeared on a number of television series, notably The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Doris Day Show and Match Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meg Foster</span> American actress

Margaret Foster is an American film and television actress. Some of her many roles were in the 1979 TV miniseries version of The Scarlet Letter, and the films Ticket to Heaven, The Osterman Weekend, and They Live.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joshua Ravetch</span> American dramatist

Joshua Ravetch is an American playwright, screenwriter and stage director born in Los Angeles, California, who co-created and directed Carrie Fisher's one-woman show Wishful Drinking, which had a successful run on Broadway. He also co-wrote and directed Dick Van Dyke in his first-ever one man show, Step in Time! A Musical Memoir, which premiered at The Geffen Playhouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Holahan</span> American attorney and former actor (born 1942)

Dennis Holahan is an American attorney and former actor. He is a partner in the San Francisco office of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, California’s largest law firm, where he specializes in entertainment, media, and intellectual property cases as well as more general matters in the firm’s commercial litigation practice. Prior to joining Lewis Brisbois in 2014, Dennis maintained one of the top entertainment and business-related litigation boutiques in Los Angeles for more than 20 years.

"The Consultant" is the 17th episode in the third season of the television series M*A*S*H. It originally aired on January 17, 1975. It was written by Robert Klane, from a story by Larry Gelbart, and was directed by Gene Reynolds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Requiem for a Lightweight</span> 3rd episode of the 1st season of M*A*S*H

"Requiem for a Lightweight" is the third episode of the television series M*A*S*H. It was first aired on October 1, 1972 and was repeated on December 31, 1972, the first episode of M*A*S*H to do so. In Watching M*A*S*H, Watching America, a sociological examination of M*A*S*H as an illustration of shifting American values in the 1970s and early 1980s, James H. Wittebols cites this episode as an example of the sexual humor which was common in early M*A*S*H episodes, but downplayed later in the program's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Alda</span> American actor (born 1936)

Alan Alda is an American actor, author, comedian, screenwriter, podcast host and director. A six-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner and a three-time Tony Award nominee, he is best known for playing Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce in the CBS wartime sitcom M*A*S*H (1972–1983). He also wrote and directed numerous episodes of the series.

One November Yankee is a play by American writer Josh Ravetch. It was first performed at The Pasadena Playhouse as a workshop production with Robert Forster and Loretta Swit as part of their Hot House Series before opening at The NoHo Arts Center in 2012. The play starred two time Emmy winner, and TV's Hot Lips Houlihan from M*A*S*H*, Loretta Swit, and LA Law's Harry Hamlin. The set was designed by Dana Moran Williams. The film rights were picked up by Pam Williams Productions as a feature film for Ravetch to adapt and direct.

References

  1. Solomonson, Ed; O'Neill, Mark (2009). TV's M*A*S*H: The Ultimate Guide Book. Bear Manor Media.
  2. Passaic Herald-News, November 3, 1941, p. 8
  3. Passaic Herald-News, March 7, 1951, p.22
  4. Passaic Herald-News, November 26, 1954, p.29, December 16, 1954 p.27, April 28, 1955 p.32
  5. Harris, Harry (August 15, 1973). "Loretta Swit – sex symbol". Toledo Blade. (Ohio). KNS. p. P4.
  6. 1 2 Passaic Herald-News, August 25, 1961, p.6
  7. Notable Past Students. American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  8. Barnes, Clive (February 21, 1976). "Stage: 'Same Time,' 1976". The New York Times . Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  9. Christiansen, Richard (July 26, 1990). "Loretta Swit Offers A Splendid 'Shirley Valentine'". Chicago Tribune .
  10. Kates, Kathryn (September 24, 2010). "Loretta Swit is Shirley Valentine". She Knows Media.
  11. "North Carolina Theatre". Nctheatre.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  12. "Totem Pole Playhouse Announces Emmy Award-Winner Loretta Swit From 'M*A*S*H' to Open 66th Summer Season". Visit Franklin County PA (www.explorefranklincountypa.com).
  13. M*A*S*H: The Martinis & Medicine Collection – Special Features: Disc 1 – "My Favorite MASH"
  14. "RIP Harry Morgan [Archive]". The Gear Page. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  15. Reilly, Sue (March 12, 1979). "Major Hottie". People .
  16. A Christmas Calendar (1987). Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved October 26, 2008
  17. Dougherty, Margot; Adelson, Suzanne (June 5, 1989). "Cindy Williams and Bill Hudson Really Do Act Just Like Family". People .
  18. "Local Activists Hail Anti-'Crush Video' Law". latimes.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  19. "TV Icon Loretta Swit On Art, Animals, And Activism". huffpost.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  20. "The Flashback Interview: Loretta Swit". popgeeks.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  21. Swit, Loretta; Appel (1986). A Needlepoint Scrapbook. Doubleday. ISBN   0385199058.