M*A*S*H

On This Day: ‘M*A*S*H’ Star Loretta Swit Appeared On This Popular Game Show In 1979

It is not unusual for TV stars to appear on game shows. On this day in 1979, “MAS*H” star Loretta Swit finished a week on a popular one.

Swit, who played Maj. Margaret Houlihan on “M*A*S*H,” takes a seat on “Password Plus.” She’s joined by actor John Schuck, a well-known character actor, and longtime show host Allen Ludden.

There’s always some banter between the host and guests on game shows. “Password Plus” did not disappoint as Ludden, who was the husband of actor Betty White, looks at Swit and mentions “MAS*H” is entering its eighth season.

‘M*A*S*H’ Star Takes Her Turn In Helping Contestants Win On Show

“Password” was quite a popular game show throughout the 1960s and 1970s. It had different iterations, such as “Password Plus” or “Super Password.” Still, the game was pretty simple. A word was given to a person, and they had to guess the “password” before their contestant.

Here’s the intro to “Super Password” along with some chit-chat between “M*A*S*H” star Swit, Schuck, and Ludden.

Swit appeared in all 11 seasons “MAS*H” was on CBS. She was only one of four actors on the show to do that, including Alan Alda, Jamie Farr, and William Christopher. For her work, Swit earned two Emmy Awards on the show.

A little tidbit on Ludden before moving on with more “M*A*S*H” information for Swit. He did host “Password,” as mentioned earlier, and its different versions for nearly 20 years. Just search “Password” on YouTube and you’ll find a who’s-who of entertainment that sat in the seats. When you can get people like Lucille Ball, Bobby Darin, or Carol Burnett to do “Password,” then you’re doing pretty good.

Ludden and White stayed married from 1963 until he dies from cancer on June 9, 1981, at 63 years old. White, who remains alive today at 99 years old, never remarried. Her marriage to Ludden was her third.

Sitcom Actor Also Found Herself Playing Roles On Classic TV Westerns

Before Loretta Swit found herself a full-time role on “MAS*H,” she appeared in a number of TV shows as a guest star.

In fact, the two top westerns on the small screen, “Gunsmoke” and “Bonanza,” had Swit on in different roles.

Swit played Belle Clark on “Gunsmoke” in a 1970 episode called “The Pack Rat.” Clark is one of two women joining Marshal Matt Dillon, played by James Arness, as he takes a wounded prisoner from Dodge City to Fort Union.

She also made an appearance on “Bonanza” in March 1972. Swit is Ellen Sue Greely in “A Visit to Upright.” Greely is a picky livestock heiress who is making trouble for Ben Cartwright, played by Lorne Greene.

Yet the role of her lifetime on “M*A*S*H” would come along and Loretta Swit’s name would become recognizable all around the world.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button