RIP "Hot Lips" Houlihan

[great_chandel]

While I was never a big fan of "MASH" I sure was a big fan of Loretta Swit's character "Hot Lips" Houlihan! Loretta was just phenomenal in that character! She was a perfect foil for Alan Alda's Hawkeye Pierce on the show. Of all the actors on the show that came and went, Loretta was 1 of only 4 to stay all 11 years on the show. In addition, only she and Alan Alda both appeared on the premiere and final episode. She won 2 Emmy Awards for her performance on the show (it should have been more). To date, the show is still so popular in reruns. In addition. no show has ever beaten the "MASH" finale. Over 100 million tuned into the last episode in 1983. To date, that record still stands (which is astonishing).

Moreover, among many other things, Loretta made a film called "Race with the Devil." That is one film I will never forget! That was a creepy film!!!

She was always a very gracious through-the-mail signer. I got her autograph many years ago.

Loretta was 87............

[Earth 2 Chris]

My friend and podcasting partner Rob Kelly got to know her through his MASHCast podcast, and was lucky enough to have her as a guest on the show. She seemed like a genuinely nice person. Margaret was a pretty complicated character for TV, going from basically a comedic villain to a dramatic hero as the show progressed. No small feat, but Swit was great at it. RIP.

[Nostalgiabuff]

sad news. there are only a few left of the main cast. she was great as Hot Lips. RIP!

[apes3978]

I know a lot of people champion 'Hot Lips' evolving into 'Margaret', but my favorite episodes are when she and Frank are a couple, "at war" with Trapper & Hawkeye and their antics.

https://lite.aol.com/entertainment/story/0001/20250530/09a0a00b8076256b57b27baf231b2240

[publiusr]

I did not touch my nose…

[Dannyc]

sad news. there are only a few left of the main cast. she was great as Hot Lips. RIP!

Yeah, the only ones left as far as I know are Hawkeye, Radar, BJ & Klinger and I suppose Rizzo too lol.

[Jorge Galvan]

Whoops Apocalypse, came out in 1986 and Ms. Swit had a role in it as thee first female president. It was a British production and it sucked! She did a good job, but it was and IS a lousy movie. Got it at Blockbuster back in the day. That's $3.00 I will never get back! She was a good actress.


Rip Loretta

[TrekStar]

Yeah, the only ones left as far as I know are Hawkeye, Radar, BJ & Klinger and I suppose Rizzo too lol.

Yes, SGT Rizzo played by G.W. Bailey is still with us, he is 80 years old.

[apes3978]

Yeah, the only ones left as far as I know are Hawkeye, Radar, BJ & Klinger and I suppose Rizzo too lol.

Also still with us are Odessa Cleveland ("Nurse Ginger"), Gwen Farrell (she had a few different names while on the show, and she is one of the 'running nurses' during the opening credits), and Jeff Maxwell ("Igor")