(PatriotWise.com)- Sally Kellerman, the actress most widely known for playing Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in the 1970 film “M*A*S*H” died of heart failure last week at her home in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles at the age of 84.
The Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress’ career in film and television spanned over 60 years.
Kellerman guest-starred in several 1960s sci-fi classics including the original “Star Trek” series, “Twilight Zone,” and “The Outer Limits.”
One of her final roles was an appearance in the web series “Decker” where Kellerman played a parody of former First Lady Hillary Clinton.
Born in Long Beach, California in 1937, Sally Kellerman signed her first contract at the age of 18 with the jazz label “Verve Records.” She became quickly discouraged in her quest to become a recording artist, however, and opted instead to pursue an acting career as well.
Kellerman, who was attending Los Angeles City College, decided to enroll in acting classes. Within a year, she appeared in a stage production of “Look Back in Anger” which featured several of her classmates including future stars Jack Nicholson, Dean Stockwell, and Robert Blake.
Kellerman was soon cast in several popular TV shows including the western “Cheyenne.” Later in her career, she became a recurring character in the soap opera “The Young and the Restless,” for which, in 2014, she was nominated for a daytime Emmy.
But the role that Kellerman will always be known for is “Hot Lips” Houlihan in Robert Altman’s 1970 Korean War comedy M*A*S*H – the role that was further immortalized by actress Loretta Swit in the classic television series based on the film that ran from 1972 until 1983.
Kellerman was married to movie producer Jonathan Krane from 1980 until his death in 2016. She is survived by her children, Jack and Claire.
