Loretta Swit
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Loretta Swit
Biography
The daughter of Polish immigrants, Loretta Swit first performed before an audience at age 7, playing "The Snow Queen" in a dance recital in her home town of Passaic, NJ. Despite her mother's strenuous objections, Swit decided to make the theatre her life; she studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, then spent several years with the Gene Frankel Repertory Company. Admonished by casting agents to alter both her "unsaleable" name and her tad-too-large nose, she ignored this advice and persevered as a young character actress. Her first tangible success was in a Las Vegas production of Mame, in which she played the mousy housekeeper/stenographer Agnes Gooch opposite Susan Hayward's Auntie Mame. Arriving in Hollywood in 1970, Swit quickly garnered critical attention--and the effusive praise of her coworkers--for her offbeat guest-star characterizations in such series as Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible and Mannix. Upon learning that a TV version of the film hit M*A*S*H was in the works in early 1972, Swit energetically campaigned for the role of Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan--even though she'd sat through the original 1970 film with her eyes closed because she hated the sight of blood. Swit remained with M*A*S*H until its cancellation in 1983, winning two Emmy Awards along the way. During the series' occasional production layoffs, she starred in a number of made-for-TV movies, including the pilot episode of Cagney and Lacey (1981). In the decade since M*A*S*H's demise, Swit has been busier with her various political and social causes than with her acting career. Often as not, she chose the stage over TV or films during these years; in 1990, she won the Sarah Siddons award for her performance in the Chicago production of Shirley Valentine. A staunch animal-rights advocate, Loretta Swit was host of the 1992 cable-TV documentary series Those Incredible Animals (1992). ~ Hal Erickson, RoviFilmography:
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Loretta Swit
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Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story Buy this Movie |
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M*A*S*H: Goodbye, Farewell & Amen Buy this Movie |
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Loretta Swit
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| Loretta Swit | |
|---|---|
 Loretta Swit at the Farm Sanctuary 25th Anniversary Gala in New York City on May 14, 2011 |
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| Born | November 4, 1937 Passaic, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Spouse | Dennis Holahan (1983–1995) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | |
| http://www.switheartgallery.com/ | |
Loretta Jane Swit (born 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.
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Early life
Swit was born in Passaic, New Jersey, of Polish descent. She studied with Gene Frankel in Manhattan 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 who trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before entering the theater. She graduated from Pope Pius XII High School in Passaic, NJ, in 1955.
Theatre
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.[1] 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. Most recently, Swit has toured with The Vagina Monologues.
In October–November 2003, she starred as the title character in North Carolina Theatre[2] production of Mame in Raleigh, North Carolina.
In August–September 2010, Swit starred in the world premier of the Mark Miller play, Amorous Crossings at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre in Jacksonville, Florida, directed by Todd Booth.
Television
When Swit arrived in Hollywood in 1970, she performed in television shows, including Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, Hawaii Five-O, and Mannix.
M*A*S*H
Starting in 1972, Swit played Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in the television series M*A*S*H. She inherited the star-making role from actress Sally Kellerman, who portrayed Houlihan in the feature film. Swit, Alan Alda, Jamie Farr, and William Christopher stayed for all 11 seasons of the show, from 1972 to 1983.
She and Alda were the only two actors to have been on the pilot episode and the finale; she appeared in all but 11 of the total of 251 episodes. Swit received two Emmy Awards for her work on M*A*S*H. Later, she was also the first M*A*S*H star to visit South Korea, when she narrated the documentary Korea, the Forgotten War.
Her favorite episodes are "Hot Lips & Empty Arms" and "Margaret's Engagement".[3]
Cagney & Lacey
In 1981, Swit played the "Christine Cagney" role 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, with Sharon Gless taking over the role from that point on.
Other TV work
Swit also guest-starred in shows such as The Love Boat, Win, Lose or Draw, Match Game, Pyramid, and Hollywood Squares. 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.[4] 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.
Filmography
- Beach Movie (1998)
- Forest Warrior (1996)
- Whoops Apocalypse (1986)
- Beer (1985)
- S.O.B. (1981)
- Race with the Devil (1975)
- Freebie and the Bean (1974)
- Stand Up and Be Counted (1972)
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever(1983)
- A Killer Among Friends (1992)
Personal life
Swit 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 has not remarried and has no children.
Swit has written a book on needlepoint (A Needlepoint Scrapbook). Swit is a very strong advocate for animals and animal rights, donating much of her time to animal-related causes.
In her 1986 book A Needlepoint Scrapbook, she declares that "We are Ms. Pac-Man fanatics in our house." She owns a Ms. Pac-Man machine. The book also includes a Ms. Pac-Man needlepoint design.
Awards and honors
- In 1991, she won the Sarah Siddons Award for her work in Chicago theatre.
- Swit received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989.
References
- ^ Barnes, Clive (February 21, 1976). "Stage: 'Same Time,' 1976". The New York Times. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50C17F93C5F167493C3AB1789D85F428785F9&scp=2&sq=same%20time%20next%20year%20loretta%20swit&st=cse. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
- ^ "North Carolina Theatre". Nctheatre.com. http://www.nctheatre.com/index.html. Retrieved 2011-05-17.
- ^ M*A*S*H: The Martinis & Medicine Collection - Special Features: Disc 1 - "My Favorite MASH"
- ^ A Christmas Calendar (1987) Retrieved Oct 26, 2008
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Loretta Swit |
- Loretta Swit's website
- Loretta Swit at the Internet Movie Database
- Loretta Swit at the Internet Broadway Database
- Loretta Swit at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
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Mentioned in
Beer
(1985 Comedy Film)
Miracle at Moreaux
(1986 War Film)
A Killer Among Friends
(1991 Drama Film)
A Visit to Upright: Bonanza (TV Episode)
(1972 Western TV Episode)
Chief Surgeon Who?: M*A*S*H (TV Episode)
(1972 Comedy Drama TV Episode)
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