Best remembered by the public for her role as "Maj. Margaret Houlihan" on TV's "M*A*S*H" (1972) (1972-1983).
During a "M*A*S*H" (1972) season hiatus, Loretta starred as "Chris Cagney" in the pilot episode of "Cagney & Lacey" (1981) in 1981. She wanted to leave the show, which was in its ninth season, to star as the police officer when the pilot was picked up. The "M*A*S*H" producers, however, wouldn't let her go. Meg Foster subbed in for Loretta, who in turn was replaced by Sharon Gless.
Has her own line of jewelry which she has sold at jewelry shows across the nation.
Her outspoken stand against the killing of fur-bearing animals for high-fashion wear has been rewarded with acknowledgments from the American Humane Society and the Animal Protection Institute of America. In addition, she teamed with Robert Redford for a PBS special centering on animal species that were threatened with extinction and is an active board member for Actors and Others for Animals, and other similar organizations.
Is Polish
Is vegan.
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989.
Up until Harry Morgan's death on 7 December 2011, she used to be her best friend and neighbor for years. Morgan co-starred with Swit on "M*A*S*H" (1972).
Wanted to leave "M*A*S*H" (1972) after the 8th season, but FOX wouldn't let her out of her contract. She has said that she wanted to star in the series "Cagney & Lacey" (1981), after she made the pilot movie, but her MASH commitment prevented her from doing so.
Wears a size 7 shoe.
Wrote a book on needlepoint.