Iconic actress Loretta Swit (“M*A*S*H”) chatted about her respected career in the entertainment industry, and her passion for helping animals.
Aside from being an actress, Swit is an author, artist, and animal activist, who is making a difference with her charitable organization, the SwitHeart Animal Alliance.
‘M*A*S*H’
Swit is known all over the globe for her starring role as head nurse Margaret Houlihan opposite Alan Alda (Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce) in the classic TV series “M*A*S*H,” which turned her into a household name. “Margaret is such a great character,” she admitted. “She is interesting, fun, positive, and inspiring. She had so many values and so many colors. I really loved her and I enjoyed playing her.”
Thanks to the show’s perennial popularity in worldwide syndication, new fans continue to discover and enjoy Swit’s lavish portrayal of the sensuous, sensitive, and comedic Major Houlihan in “M*A*S*H.” “Mostly, over 11 seasons, I enjoyed being able to grow and evolve with her,” she said. “This wasn’t going to be a three-year job, we kept on going. I liked having the opportunity to allow her to continue to grow.”
She complimented everybody in the “M*A*S*H” cast. “This was an amazing cast, my colleagues were so brilliant in their own unique ways. Alan [Alda] is probably one of the best physical comics that I’ve ever worked with. His body would be so funny, he had such command with his body language.”
“David [Ogden Stiers] was able to retain his wonderful accent, most actors won’t do an accent if they have a series because it’s trying since they would have to sustain it week after week. Jamie [Farr] was one-of-a-kind, and Gary Burghoff was so great as ‘Radar’. All of these actors were simply extraordinary,” she said about her “M*A*S*H” co-stars.
“They used to call ‘M*A*S*H’ the best babysitter there was,” Swit said with a sweet laugh. “It is fascinating isn’t it? Now it has become a global family. We are very close still and we are still a family.”
Swit continued, “Our characters were so relatable that everybody related to their issues, problems, failures, and their significance. That’s what makes us a family when you love each other given all of the faults and failures. Sometimes, the faults are irresistible. It has been an amazing experience for everybody. The fact remains that we have been on the air for over 50 years. It was an amazing gathering.”
“There are people that can quote every joke, episode, and every piece of dialogue, and they love that they know it so well, they say the lines with us, so it’s really a bonding of an extraordinary nature. I feel like we have all been a part of a magical thing,” she acknowledged.
Award-winning actress
Swit has been recognized with a People’s Choice Award for “Favorite Female TV Performer,” a Genie Award, a Silver Satellite Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series” for her acting in “M*A*S*H.” “Winning the Emmy Awards was just glorious,” she said. “We all felt so blessed by the experience, and I can speak for everybody.”
With 10 career Primetime Emmy nominations and four Golden Globe nominations, she recently received her third Career Achievement Award; moreover, she has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “I’ve had an Emmy nomination almost every year,” she said. “The star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a wonderful honor and a nice pat on the back of appreciation, even when you are working on something that you love. That is a satisfying feeling.”
Loretta Swit: The animal activist
This TV icon is a true champion of the animal kingdom. Her wildlife series, Those Incredible Animals, was shown twice a week on the Discovery Channel for a five-year run, in addition to airing in over 30 countries. “That was like living in heaven, especially to have one-on-on confrontations with grizzly bears and all of these other animals,” she said.
SwitHeart Animal Alliance
The SwitHeart Animal Alliance is a nonprofit organization established by Swit, which prevents cruelty and ends animal suffering. Its mission is to promote and cooperate with numerous nonprofit organizations and programs that protect, rescue, train and care for animals. “Fans can get my artwork and perfume and all of the money goes to charity,” she said.
“It is beyond a mission, it is what we do, it’s how we breathe,” she added.
“At the end of every month we take a tally and we start sending money to our alliances, which keep growing. We are an international charity and we help out where we can. It is great, satisfying, and just wonderful,” she elaborated.
For her ceaseless humanitarian efforts, Swit has earned the respect of both the general public and the philanthropic world including such awards as “Woman of the Year” by the Animal Protection Institute and the International Fund For Animal Welfare (IFAW), as well as the coveted “Betty White Award.” “Betty [White] and I would go out on campaign together, she was a joy, and such a wonderful and terrific lady. I loved being with her,” she said.
Loretta Swit: The author
Her book, “SwitHeart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit,” chronicles her work as an artist and activist. “A lot of people are so surprised to see that I paint,” she said. “Talent is basically God-given or from a higher power. I’ve never studied, so for me to paint something that people buy and put on their walls, is a gift. To take that gift and give back with it is really special.”
This book features color paintings and drawings, and the proceeds are donated to charities and programs that are as dedicated to ending animal suffering and cruelty. “I also have a ‘SwitHeart’ perfume that helps the SwitHeart Animal Alliance, and that means a lot to me because I put it together myself. This is another pat on the back because all of the proceeds go to my furry friends,” she said.
Remembering Angela Lansbury
Swit credits the late but great Dame Angela Lansbury for being her idol. “Angela Lansbury was my inspiration, what a loss,” she recalled, fondly remembering the “Murder, She Wrote” star.
“I will be giving another award to Angela posthumously in March at the Infinity Award. She was an inspiration to me for years, I’ve learned so much from her. Watching her perform was like taking a master-class, her energy, her passion, and she did it all so well. She had three major careers: film, theater, and TV. She was magnificent, she could do anything,” she said.
Key to longevity in showbiz
On the key to longevity in the entertainment business, she said, “Just giving yourself to it, and loving it. I never wanted to do anything else. Every time I got on stage or was in front of a camera, I knew it was my niche, and a lot of actors feel that way.”
“When you give your all to it, that’s the key. It is more than just a part of your life, it is your life, and that’s the key element. It’s a passion, love and enjoying what you do, and that’s unmistakable in the work,” she expressed.
“People that love what they do, usually are great at it. If you’ve found something in life that you love to do, do it, that way, you don’t work a day in your life,” she added.
Success
On her definition of success, Swit said, “Success is when you don’t have any regrets about yesterday, when you enjoy today as much as you can, and look forward to the dazzle of tomorrow. If yo can do all of those things, then you are a success. To regret is a waste of time, emotion, and energy.”
For her dedicated “M*A*S*H” fans, she concluded, “Thank you for being with me and for enjoying my life and work with me. Thanks for your support and for your dedication.”
To learn more about esteemed actress Loretta Swit, check out her official website.
