
20/09/2025
Loretta Swit began her acting journey early, performing as the Snow Queen in a dance recital at age seven despite her parents' initial resistance to her career choice. She trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and studied with acting coach Gene Frankel, which prepared her for a diverse career in theater and television. Early in her career, she appeared in stage productions including An Enemy of the People, The Balcony, and the national tour of Any Wednesday. She also gained experience in musicals like Mame, playing the character Agnes Gooch. Swit transitioned to television with guest appearances on popular shows such as Gunsmoke, Hawaii Five-O, and Mission: Impossible. Her breakthrough came in 1972 when she was cast as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on MASH*, a role she played for all 11 seasons and won two Emmy Awards for.