Loretta Swit, who played Maj. Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan on TV's 'MASH' from 1972 to 1983, died Friday in her New York apartment. She was 87.

M*A*S*H star Loretta Swit - who played Major Margaret Houlihan on the CBS show - has died, aged 87, it's been announced this week, with the news prompting tributes to the actor

The two-time Emmy winner almost starred on 'Cagney & Lacey' and helped lead the way for women playing strong, professional characters on television.