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| Biography |
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| Born to Polish immigrants on November 4th, 1937, in Passaic, NJ, Loretta Swit was destined for stardom at an early age. At seven, she played "The Snow Queen" in a dance recital. This first performance for an audience was the beginning of her career in the arts. Although her mother objected, Loretta pushed ahead, and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and spent several years with the Gene Frankel Repertory Company Believe it or not, in the early days of her career, some told Ms Swit that she would have to make some changes if she wanted to make it in the biz. Her nose was deemed 'too large', and her name 'unsaleable' [What, like "Loretta Swit" is a mouthful?- Keep your comments to yourself, folks. ;)]. Ignoring the criticism, she perservered and eventually landed the role of Agnes Gooch in "Mame", in which she starred with Susan Hayward. In 1969, she guest starred as Anna Schroeder in an episode of "Gunsmoke", and from there her career took off. After making several appearances on shows like Mannix, Hawaii Five-O and Cade's County, she was cast in her most famous and recognizable role, as the tough but loveable, and super sensuous Major Margaret 'Hotlips' Houlihan. [Quick fact- Loretta hates the sight of blood; she sat through the movie version of M*A*S*H with her eyes closed. Ironic or what?]. During M*A*S*H's 11 year run, she won two Emmy's, and was nominated several times. Besides being her most applauded role, Margaret seems to be Loretta's favourite. She speaks fondly of the character, recalling Hotlips' passion and dedication; her ability to be unyielding, yet sensitive. [She says the scene in which she tells Hawkeye that she expects "Respect. Nothing more, and nothing less" from the episode Hepatitis "sums her up very well."] In 1981, she filmed the TV Movie of the female cop drama 'Cagney and Lacey' with Tyne Daly. However, at the time, she was still doing MASH, and Fox would not let her out of her contract, and so backed out of the commitment of a full-time role. The part was handed to Meg Foster, and ultimately to Sharon Gless. For her role as 'Hotlips', she won an Emmy in 1980 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series and again in 1982 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. In 1989 she was awarded her own plaque on the 'Walk of Fame.' In the years following M*A*S*H, she has not been extremely successful in a movie career, with only several made-for-TV films, but has made up for it in her stage productions. She made her Broadway debut in 1976 in "Same Time Next Year" with Ted Bessell. and later appeared in plays such as The Mystery of Edwin Drood. She won the Sarah Siddon's Award in 1990 for her role in Shirley Valentine, and continued to grace the stage in plays/musicals such as Song of Singapore, Love Letters, and reprised her Agnes Gooch role in "Mame" in 2003/2004. A fierce animal-rights activist, Ms. Swit is an active member of several organizations such as Actors and Others For Animals, The Shambala Preserve, The Wildlife Waystation. She is also the official spokesperson for Hooved Animals Protection Society (HARPS) and the Humane Society of the US. She also designs her own jewellery and has her own cosmetics line. By - Lisa |
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