Before Death, Loretta Swit Confirmed The REAL Reasons The Cast Left MASH

Loretta Swit passed away on May 30, 2025, at the age of 87.

She was widely known for playing Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in the iconic series *M\*A\*S\*H*.

Before her death, Swit publicly revealed the real reasons why several cast members left the show.

She confessed that in 1981 she wanted to leave *M\*A\*S\*H* to star in the pilot of *Cagney & Lacey* as Christine Cagney.

The pilot episode was successful, but 20th Century Fox did not allow her to break her contract with *M\*A\*S\*H*.

According to her, the studio simply told her: “Forget it, you’re not going anywhere.”

Swit joked that instead of following her heart, she had to obey the contract.

Despite the initial disappointment, she stayed until the end of the series and helped deeply transform her character.

Margaret Houlihan evolved from a sexualized figure into a strong, independent, and professional woman.

Swit fought for that evolution, and Alan Alda even acknowledged her impact on the character’s development.

Other cast members also left the series for very different reasons.

Wayne Rogers, who played Captain Trapper John McIntyre, left the show after the third season.

He believed his character would be equally important as Hawkeye, but he felt sidelined.

Rogers had not signed a formal contract, which allowed him to leave without legal consequences.

He later starred in his own medical sitcom called *House Calls*, which had moderate success.

McLean Stevenson, who played Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake, also left the show after the third season.

He believed he needed more prominence and wanted to become a star on his own.

He later admitted it was a mistake, saying: “I thought they loved McLean Stevenson, but they loved Henry Blake.”

Stevenson’s character died in a famous episode, when his plane was shot down after leaving the camp.

The scene shocked viewers and is one of the most memorable moments in television history.

Larry Linville, who played Major Frank Burns, also left because he felt his character wasn’t evolving.

As Margaret Houlihan’s character grew, Frank became redundant.

Linville didn’t want to keep playing a one-dimensional fool without emotional depth.

Gary Burghoff, the unforgettable Radar, left the show for personal and family reasons.

He was dealing with a troubled marriage and couldn’t keep up with the show’s demanding schedule.

Unlike the others, he was seeking a more stable life outside the spotlight.

All of these actors had different reasons, but they shared a desire for personal or professional growth.

Loretta Swit stayed, despite wanting to explore other roles, because she was contractually obligated.

Nevertheless, she used that time to turn Margaret into a symbol of female empowerment.

In later interviews, Swit said she had no regrets, as she left a meaningful mark on television.

Ultimately, the cast departures reflected creative tensions, personal ambitions, and contractual limitations.

*M\*A\*S\*H* was not just a show about the Korean War, but also about the personal battles behind the scenes.

The legacy of Loretta Swit and her co-stars lives on because of the honesty and courage with which they faced their choices.