Loretta Swit has become a beloved staple in the M*A*S*H community. In her iconic role as Maj. Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan, Swit portrayed a hardworking nurse who always seemed to be at the center of the drama in the 4077th. But she was excellent at her job— and even better at holding everyone together.

After M*A*S*H, Swit continued to rise, transitioning into Broadway and other projects. But long before her name became synonymous with one of television’s most memorable characters, there was pressure from Hollywood to become someone else.

Swit was advised by some in the entertainment industry to adopt a more "Hollywood-friendly" name.

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"People have asked me to change my name over the years— some politely, some not so politely," Swit said in a 1976 interview with Record Searchlight. "I never really considered it. I wanted to be what I am, not someone else under a manufactured name. I'm glad I didn't change. This is the year of the Swit."

Swit, the daughter of Polish immigrants, was born in New Jersey in 1937. She said she caught the acting bug early and was determined to pursue a career on stage and screen.

When M*A*S*H first aired in 1972, it was far from an overnight hit. Swit and the rest of the cast had to fight for recognition in a challenging Sunday night slot, and ratings were a constant concern.

"That period was rough on all of us," Swit said. "We all put such love and respect into the show, and we felt cheated when it didn't get us an audience. It was like playing to an empty house in the theater; ratings are the applause in television. But during the reruns, the show got up to number 13, and we were safe."

Despite its critical acclaim and success, M*A*S*H had a rocky start in the ratings. Swit blamed CBS’s frequent scheduling changes — the show aired in four different time slots during its first four seasons.

"It's like growing up in a neighborhood and then having to phone all your friends and say, 'We're moving,'" Swit said.

Eventually, M*A*S*H became one of the highest-rated series on television, and the cast and crew remain beloved to this day.

Swit had to fight for the show, for her name, and to help make the series successful. And much like her name, she never changed—something that helped her stand out in Hollywood.