LORETTA SWIT Biography - Actors and Actresses

 
 

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LORETTA SWIT

Name: Loretta Swit                                                                   
Born: 4 November 1937 Passaic, New Jersey, U.S.                                       
                                                                                     
Loretta Swit (born November 4, 1937) is an American stage and television actress,     
primarily known for her character-type roles. The naturally blonde-headed Swit       
is best known for her two-time Emmy-winning portrayal of Alan Alda's medical         
partner, Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan, on M*A*S*H.                             
                                                                                     
Swit was born in Passaic, New Jersey, U.S., to Polish-Catholic immigrants. She       
studied with Gene Frankel in Manhattan and considered him her acting coach. She       
regularly returned to his studio to speak with aspiring actors throughout her         
career. Swit is also a talented singer who trained at the American Academy of         
Dramatic Arts before entering the theater.                                           
                                                                                     
In 1967, Swit toured with the national company of Any Wednesday, starring             
Gardner McKay. She would continue on as one of the Pigeon sisters opposite Don       
Rickles and Ernest Borgnine in a Los Angeles run of The Odd Couple.                   
                                                                                     
From there, she played Agnes Gooch in the Las Vegas version of Mame starring         
Susan Hayward and later Celeste Holm.                                                 
                                                                                     
Most recently, Swit has toured with the Vagina Monologues.                           
                                                                                     
In October-November 2003, she starred as the title character in North Carolina       
Theatre production of Mame in Raleigh, North Carolina.