Back when Hollywood was full of actors changing their names to sound flashier or more “fitting,” Loretta Swit made a different choice. She refused to swap her real name for a stage name, even when people told her to. For her, it was not just a name; it was her story and a way to stay true to herself.
Before taking on the character of Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in the television series M*A*S*H, Loretta had already decided to stay real, no matter what. And when the show made her famous, she did not feel the need to change anything about her name or herself.
Loretta Swit kept her real name to “make a point”
Loretta Swit was born in Passaic, New Jersey, to Polish immigrant parents and grew up valuing hard work and culture. She developed her acting talent at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and gained experience before becoming well-known. When people offered her a chance to change her name to sound more popular, she said no right away. She wanted to stay true to herself, and by doing that, she pushed back against an industry that often wants people to change who they are.
One thing that stands out about Loretta Swit is how strongly she stayed connected to her roots. That same groundedness showed up in her work, as Major Margaret brought life to a character who was strict, passionate, and often misunderstood — a tough military nurse navigating a world run mainly by men. Over time, the role grew beyond the “Hot Lips” nickname to become one of the most respected and layered characters on the show.
Despite the ups and downs, Loretta Swit stayed committed to M*A*S*H
M*A*S*H, the dark comedy set during the Korean War, first aired in 1972, but it did not become a hit overnight. It had a mix of humor and heartbreak, and the show was unlike anything else on TV. The network kept changing its time slot, making it harder to build an audience. Loretta Swit and the rest of the cast often felt discouraged. “It was like playing to an empty house,” she once said, as they waited and hoped for viewers to finally catch on to what made the show so special.
Over time, thanks to reruns, M*A*S*H found its audience. It went on to run for 11 seasons, and when it finally ended, over 100 million people tuned in to watch the finale, making it one of the most-watched TV episodes in history. Through every season, Loretta Swit stayed. She was one of just four cast members who remained from the very first episode to the last. Her loyalty to the show and to herself played a big part in what made M*A*S*H so special, even all these years later.