X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Loretta Swit Biography

Birth Name:Loretta Jane Swit

Birth Place:Passaic, New Jersey, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Became a board member for Actors and Others for Animals
  • Won the Sarah Siddons Award for her performances in Chicago theatre
  • Studied acting with actor and director Gene Frankel in his Manhattan studio
  • Quote: "From an early age, I knew I wanted to be the actor, not the character․ There is a difference․ I wanted to do the work of an actor․ I loved the process․"
  • Best known for her role as the nurse Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on "M*A*S*H․"
  • Performed on Broadway and participated in several theater productions across the United States
  • A staunch supporter of animal rights, she is a vegan and has spoken out against killing animals for fur
  • Her contract would not allow her to leave "M*A*S*H" during its ninth season to star in "Cagney & Lacey" like she wanted
  • Sells her own line of jewelry at jewelry shows all over the United States
  • Wrote a book on needlepoint called "A Needlepoint Scrapbook" that was published in 1986

Awards

  • 1974Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actress - Television: nominated
  • 1974Primetime Emmy-Best Supporting Actress in Comedy: nominated
  • 1975Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1976Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1977Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1979Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Comedy-Variety or Music Series: nominated
  • 1980Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1980Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series: winner
  • 1981Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series: nominated
  • 1982Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1982Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series: winner
  • 1983Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1983Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Variety or Music Series: nominated
  • 2009Impact Award-: winner