"More than acting her part, she created it" - Alan Alda remembers co-star Loretta Swit in a touching tribute

Veteran actor Alan Alda, after learning of his longtime M*A*S*H co-star Loretta Swit's death at the age of 87, paid a heartfelt homage to her. On May 30, 2025, Swit, who was most renowned for portraying Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the adored television show, passed away in her New York City apartment from natural causes.

Alda tweeted,

"More than acting her part, she created it."

For more than ten years, Swit and Alda co-starred on M*A*S*H, playing characters whose development paralleled the series' transition from comedy to nuanced drama. Nearly 106 million people saw their on-screen kiss in the 1983 series finale, which The Hollywood Reporter subsequently called "the most expensive kiss in television history."

However, their relationship, which was based on mutual respect and affection, continued into real life as they remained close friends.

On X, Alan Alda, who is now 89, posted his remembrance, writing,

"Loretta was a supremely talented actor. She deserved all her 10 EMMY nominations and her 2 wins. But more than acting her part, she created it."

He wrote that Swit was responsible for changing Margaret Houlihan's persona, turning her from a "one-joke s*xist stereotype" into a whole human being:

"She worked hard In showing the writing staff how they could turn the character from a one joke sexist stereotype into a real person -- with real feelings and ambitions. We celebrated the day the script came out listing her character not as Hot Lips, but as Margaret."

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Alan Alda reflects on their friendship

More than just a gesture to honor a co-star, Alan Alda's tribute to Loretta Swit was a reflection of a relationship that spanned more than 50 years. Alda and Swit had a special bond that smoothly transitioned from the first M*A*S*H episode in 1972 until their reunion in 2024.

They had a wonderful bond as Hawkeye and Houlihan, often stealing moments with surprising humor, tension, and tenderness. Alan Alda has commended Swit's dedication and tenacity.

Even though the rest of the ensemble changed throughout time, Alan Alda and Swit remained the series' central protagonists.

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More than "Hot Lips": A feminist force on screen

Although Swit's most well known project is still M*A*S*H, her career included work in theater, television, and movies. She had appearances on works such as Race with the Devil, A Killer Among Friends, and Mirror, Mirror. She even portrayed Christine Cagney in the Cagney & Lacey pilot, but was unable to continue because of other obligations.

She also appeared in M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television, a 2024 reunion special that brought together Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, Gary Burghoff, Jamie Farr, and other celebrities to discuss the show's lasting impact.

The way Swit portrayed Houlihan struck a strong chord with viewers, particularly women. Swit worked behind the scenes to make sure her role mirrored the ideals of feminism as it gained popularity in the 1970s. In an interview with Suzy Kalter, author of The Complete Book of M.A.S.H., she stated that she would not permit Margaret to stay static:

“To oversimplify it, I took each traumatic change that happened in her life and kept it. I didn’t go into the next episode as if it were a different character in a different play. She was a character in constant flux; she never stopped developing.”

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Loretta Swit was more than just an Emmy-winning actress, she was an inspiration to fans throughout the world.

Alan Alda's final words reflect the general sentiment:

"Loretta made the most of her time here."

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