Sally Kellerman, the actress best known for her iconic role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in Robert Altman’s groundbreaking film M*A*S*H, died February 24, 2022, in Los Angeles, at the age of 84.
Born June 2, 1937, in Long Beach, California, Kellerman’s path to acting began in high school, where she studied both acting and singing. She continued to hone her skills at a Novel York college whereas simultaneously performing as a vocalist in nightclubs and on the radio. Though she signed a recording contract with Verve Records at age 18, her debut album wouldn’t arrive until 1972, gaining momentum following the success of MASH.
Kellerman first appeared on screen in the early 1960s, and her career began to accelerate with supporting roles in television shows like Columbo and the popular comedy The April Fools, starring Catherine Deneuve and Jack Lemmon. It was then that she caught the eye of Robert Altman, who invited her to join the cast of his anti-war masterpiece, M*A*S*H – a film that would prove to be a turning point in her career.
In M*A*S*H, Kellerman embodied the character of Margaret O’Houlihan – the head nurse at a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. The assertive Major, known for her strict moral code, attempted to curb the romances between her staff and the soldiers. Although, she found herself entangled in a passionate affair with the officious, unpleasant, and hypocritical Major Frank Burns.
Though often in conflict with the film’s protagonists, Margaret O’Houlihan, nicknamed “Hotlips” by her colleagues (translated as “Gorące Usta” in the original Polish source, and later as “Hot Lips” in the television series), wasn’t portrayed as a simple villain. Instead, she was a complex character who simultaneously repelled and fascinated audiences, defying easy categorization.
M*A*S*H earned the Golden Palm at the 23rd International Film Festival in Cannes and quickly became one of the biggest box office hits of the 1970s in the United States and Western Europe. Kellerman’s performance garnered her nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe – a notable distinction, as her co-stars Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, and Robert Duvall did not receive nominations that year. The film’s success cemented its place in cinematic history and launched Kellerman into wider recognition.
Months after the premiere of Altman’s film, Kellerman was offered the opportunity to reprise her role as Major O’Houlihan in the television adaptation of M*A*S*H. She declined, choosing to focus on her film career. This decision, however, didn’t lead to a string of major successes. While she remained consistently employed, she primarily appeared in smaller productions and supporting roles. Altman continued to be a steadfast supporter, regularly inviting her to participate in his projects.
Kellerman as well successfully pursued a career in music, releasing several albums and composing songs for films, consistently nurturing her second artistic identity. In April 2013, she published her memoir, Read My Lips: Stories of a Hollywood Life, offering a candid and often humorous look at her experiences in the entertainment industry.
Following Kellerman’s death after a battle with illness, Loretta Swit, who played Major O’Houlihan in the television series, wrote: “Sally and I used to laugh about how people preferred to believe we were rivals, or that we were feuding. The truth is, we were incredibly good friends and the most fun we had was being mistaken for each other.” The sentiment speaks to the enduring legacy of M*A*S*H and the camaraderie among its cast.
