Sally Claire Kellerman (born June 2, 1937) is an American actress and singer known for her role as "Hot Lips" Houlihan in the film M*A*S*H (1970), for which she was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
She was the was the first actress to play Major Margaret "Hot Lips" O'Houlihan in the film version of MASH (1970). The role went to Loretta Swit for the TV series.
Stepmother of ex-husband Rick Edelstein (I)'s 4 daughters.
Was first choice for the role of Linda Rogo in 'The Poseidon Adventure' (1972. She turned the part down, and it was given to 'Stella Stevens'.
Supplements her ongoing film career with stints as a nightclub singer, television and radio narrator and voice-overs.
She married director Rick Edelstein (I) in 1970 but subsequently divorced. In 1980 she married Jonathan D. Krane. They separated in 1997.
Very close friend of John Travolta and Kelly Preston'.
Robert Altman (I) initially did not want Kellerman for the part of "Hot Lips Houlihan" in 'MASH' 1970 because "she was too attractive" and he wanted unattractive actors.
In 1969, she reportedly almost talked herself out of her most famous role. She had an argument with MASH (1970) director Robert Altman (I) after reading the script. She was incensed about the way her proposed character, "Hot Lips" O'Houlihan, was to be humiliated. Altman said that her attitude and passion was exactly what he was looking for in that character! And finally the humiliating scenes became actually the best known and almost the most popular moments of the movie. Particularly the famous prank scene, in which the shower tent was lifted up to expose the attractive but snooty "Hot Lips" O'Houlihan in the nude, evoked a large number of imitations in movie history. Even if it seems that by the time the characters, who were humiliated in a similar way, became more and more male ones.
Very close friend of Robert Altman (I) and his wife Kathryn Reed Altman.
