Alan Alda pays homage to Loretta Switt, “The Most Talent” M*a*s*h co-star who passed away on May 30th at the age of 87.
In the X post, Alda, who played the wise surgeon Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” earrings with sweatshirt Major General Margaret Hoolihan and all 11 seasons, said the actress deserves 10 Emmy candidates she received for the character (winning in 1980, 1980, 1980, 1980, 1980).
“More than she does her role, she created it,” writes Alda, now 89. Alda praised how Switt brought life to Holihan’s character. “She worked hard to show the writing staff how to turn the character from one joke sexist stereotype to a real person, with real emotions and ambition.”
Swit spoke with pride about persuading showwriters to stop calling Houlihan “Hot Lips.”
“We celebrated the day the script came out. Her character was Margaret, not as hot lips,” writes Alda. “Loretta made the most of her time here.”
Jamie Far calls Loretta shake up his “adoption”
Jamie Far, who played Maxwell Corp Chief Q. Klinger in “M*a*s*h,” paid tribute to his “adoption” in a statement to USA Today.
“I loved Loretta so much! I’m as close as my family can get,” said Far, 90. “From the first time I met her, we’ve embraced each other about what appears to be a day’s appearance in ‘M*a*s*h’. It became a lifelong friendship. There is no way to express how much she misses. ”
Mike Farrell tribute: Photo
Mike Farrell, who joined “M*a*s*h,” cast in season 4 as BJ Hunnicutt, posted a black and white photo of Swit on Instagram.
“Loretta…1937-2025🖤,” wrote 86-year-old Pharrell.
The three actors, along with Gary Burgoff (who played Radar O’Reilly), are the last remaining major actors of “M*a*s*h,” who remained a close group despite decades.
“We might be joining the hips too,” Swit told Fox News in 2017. I’m not my family at any time. ”
Peta praises “Major Champion” Loretta Switt
Lisa Ran, vice president of People for the ethical treatment of animals, praised Sweat’s “heritage of compassion.” The actress was a longtime animal activist and vegan.
“Loretta Switt may have been best known as Major Margaret Hoolihan, but she was known to PETA as the leading champion of all animals,” Lang said in a statement. “The world has lost its kind soul, and the animals have lost their true friends.”
“Laugh-In” star Jo Anne Worley is a member of Swit’s board of directors about actors and other animals, and said Swit was “eager to attend” at the group’s recent meeting.
“Loretta has dedicated her life to improving the lives of all animals,” Wally said in a statement. “We all miss her joyous presence.”

