Dame Margaret Rutherford (May 11, 1892 - May 22, 1972) was a British character actress. Born in London, she made her stage debut in 1925 at the Old Vic. However, her appearance was such that romantic heroines were almost out of the question, and she soon established her name in comedy, appearing in many of the most successful British films of the mid-20th century.

In most of these films, she had originally played the role on stage.

In 1962, she first played the film role with which she was most often associated in later life, that of Miss Marple in a series of films based on the novels of Agatha Christie.

Her husband was the actor Stringer Davis, whom she married in 1945 and with whom she often appeared. In 1967 she was created a Dame of the British Empire. He suffered from Alzheimer's disease at the end of her life, and died of complications from a hip injury.

Selected filmography