Loretta Swit: The Iconic Actress You Know And Love

How Much is Loretta Swit Worth?

Alright, let’s dive into the numbers. Loretta Swit, the beloved American actress, boasts a net worth of $4 million. Now, if you’re like me, you’re probably thinking, "Wow, she’s earned every penny of it!" Her most iconic role? That’d be Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the legendary CBS series "M*A*S*H." Her acting chops don’t stop there—she’s graced stages with performances in productions like "The Balcony," "Any Wednesday," "Same Time, Next Year," and "Mame." And if that wasn’t enough, Swit became a household name in the '70s as a regular guest on game shows like "Pyramid" and "Match Game." Talk about versatility!

Her Roots: Early Life and Education

Before she was lighting up screens and stages, Loretta Swit was born on November 4, 1937, in Passaic, New Jersey, to Nellie and Lester. With Polish ancestry and an older brother named Robert, her early years were packed with talent and determination. Swit attended Pope Pius XII High School, where she not only acted in theatrical productions but also co-captained the women's basketball team and cheered on her teammates as a cheerleader. Talk about a well-rounded kid! After graduating in 1955, she attended Katharine Gibbs School in Montclair, earning her diploma in 1957. Education was just the beginning for this powerhouse.

First Steps: Career Beginnings

After college, Swit didn’t waste any time. She held various clerical jobs, including stenographer, personal secretary to writer Elsa Maxwell, and even secretary to the ambassador from Ghana to the United Nations. But her true passion was always the arts. While working these day jobs, she learned to dance from Rockette Elizabeth Parent-Barber and took drama lessons with acting coach Gene Frankel. Her dedication to her craft was evident even in her earliest days, and it paid off in a big way.

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Small Screen Success: Television Career

In 1969, Swit made the move to Hollywood, and the rest, as they say, is history. That same year, she made her television debut on "Hawaii Five-O," appearing in multiple episodes over the years. But her big break came in 1972 when she stepped into the role of Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on "M*A*S*H." She inherited the character from Sally Kellerman, who originated the role in the film. "M*A*S*H" became a massive hit, running for 11 seasons and making Swit one of only four cast members to appear throughout the entire series. Her performance earned her multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, with two Emmy wins under her belt. And let’s not forget her other TV appearances during this time—she popped up on shows like "Love, American Style," "Ironside," and "The Love Boat." Plus, she was a regular guest on "Pyramid" and "Match Game," proving she was as comfortable in the game show world as she was on the small screen.

Big Screen Breaks: Film Career

Swit’s talents weren’t confined to television. Her film career kicked off in 1972 with the comedy "Stand Up and Be Counted," starring alongside Jacqueline Bisset and Stella Stevens. She followed that with a small role in the road comedy "Deadhead Miles" and a bigger part in "Freebie and the Bean," both starring Alan Arkin. She also starred alongside Peter Fonda and Warren Oates in the 1975 action horror film "Race with the Devil." Swit returned to the big screen in 1981 with Blake Edwards’ black comedy "S.O.B." and later appeared in films like "Beer," "Whoops Apocalypse," and "Forest Warrior." Her film career may have been quieter than her TV work, but her performances were always memorable.

Center Stage: Stage Career

Swit’s love for the stage never faded. Early in her career, she appeared in productions like "An Enemy of the People" and "The Balcony." In 1967, she toured with the national company of "Any Wednesday" and later starred opposite Don Rickles and Ernest Borgnine in "The Odd Couple" in Los Angeles. Back in New York in the '70s, she acted on Broadway in "Same Time, Next Year" and "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." She even brought her talents to Las Vegas, performing in "Mame" alongside Susan Hayward. In the '90s, Swit took on the one-woman play "Shirley Valentine," continuing to perform it through the 2010s. Her stage credits also include returning to "Mame" as the title character and starring in the world premiere of Mark Miller’s "Amorous Crossings." In 2017, she acted in "Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks" in Buffalo, New York. Her passion for live theater is unmatched!

Behind the Scenes: Personal Life

Swit married attorney and actor Dennis Holahan in 1983, but the couple divorced in 1995. Off-screen, she’s an animal rights activist and a practicing vegan. Her dedication to her beliefs shows that Swit is not only a talented performer but also a compassionate human being. Whether she’s on stage, in front of the camera, or advocating for a cause, Loretta Swit continues to inspire and entertain us all.