'M*A*S*H' star Loretta Swit dead at 87

Loretta Swit, known for her Emmy-winning role on the comedy drama TV series “M.A.S.H” has died. Swit played Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan, the demanding head nurse of a behind-the-scenes surgical unit set during the Korean War.

Swit won two Emmy’s for her role on the CBS show which also starred Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, and McLean Stevenson. “M.A.S.H” aired for 11 years during the 70’s and early 80’s with Swit and Alda as the longest running cast members.

The show’s series finale aired on Feb. 28, 1983 and had more than 100 million viewers, the most-watched episode of any scripted series ever.

Swit was also known for her guest roles on TV series such as Hawaii Five-O, Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, and Mannix.

Her publicist said she died Friday at her home in New York City, likely from natural causes. Swit was 87.

The National News Desk and Associated Press contributed to this report.