Veteran actress Loretta Swit once said that aging makes her “feel ageless.” Take a look at how she transitioned from her early days in entertainment to her golden years.

Loretta Swit became widely recognized for her iconic role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the popular sitcom “M*A*S*H,” which captivated audiences from 1972 to 1983. Beyond her unforgettable character, Swit, who turns 87 in November 2024, also charmed fans with her striking beauty.

“M*A*S*H” catapulted the actress to international fame, with its finale drawing a record-breaking 121 million viewers. Decades on, the show remains beloved.

Known for her portrayal of the sharp, passionate, and witty “Hot Lips,” Swit brought a unique blend of sensuality and sensitivity to the role, winning two Emmy Awards for her performance on the history-making show.

Years later, the award-winning star shared how she landed the part, explaining that she was abroad when casting began. “I came in at the tail end and didn’t know they had seen 300 or 400 women for this role, or I would’ve been a lot more nervous,” she admitted.

With no script, reading, or test, the casting call was simply a chance to meet her and see if she fit the part. Her previous work with CBS and 20th Century Fox played to her advantage, as the producers saw her as a natural choice.

However, Swit, whose mother once said she could do anything, almost lost out on her big break when a film offer from Universal posed a conflict with the “M*A*S*H” pilot schedule.

After her agent informed the show’s team, they responded urgently, saying, “No, no, no. We want her. Don’t give her away. We just decided we’re going with Loretta.” And with that, her journey on “M*A*S*H” began.

Swit reflects on this opportunity as “lucky,” believing that luck often aligns with talent. Though other enticing offers arose, she remained devoted to “M*A*S*H”—a decision she treasures. Being part of the series, she said, was one of the most “rewarding” experiences of her career.

The TV star’s experience on “M*A*S*H” extended into her personal life when she married actor Dennis Holahan, her on-screen love interest, in 1983. However, the actress later admitted, “I’m not sure I even wanted to get married.”

“I always wanted to be an actress, not a mother or housewife,” she shared, noting that marriage wasn’t necessary to “complete” a woman. After twelve years, she and Houlihan divorced in 1995.

When she wrote her memoirs, Swit confessed, “I don’t know if he will even be in the book,” adding that successful marriages “take two very special people to make that happen.”