Margaret Rutherford

Biography: Margaret Rutherford, also known as Dame Margaret Taylor Rutherford, was a famous English character actress. Dame Rutherford was born May 11, 1892, and died May 22, 1972. In 1963, she won the Oscar for best supporting actress as The Duchess of Brighton in The VIPs. However, she is best known for her work playing Miss Marple in film adaptations of Agatha Christie novels. She started her career on the stage when she was in her early thirties. Considered to be ugly for her time, she was unable to play the roles of any romantic heroines during her youth. Instead, she was confined to comedy roles. Rutherford reportedly did not understand how any members of the audience found her funny, despite rave reviews. Luckily, as she neared forty, her dramatic talent was finally noticed and she began to take some more serious roles. Her last role was in the late 1960's, as she began to suffer from Alzheimer's, which left her unable to work. Many of Great Britain's Margaret Rutherford, also known as Dame Margaret Taylor Rutherford, was a famous English character actress. Dame Rutherford was born May 11, 1892, and died May 22, 1972. In 1963, she won the Oscar for best supporting actress as The Duchess of Brighton in The VIPs. However, she is best known for her work playing Miss Marple in film adaptations of Agatha Christie novels. She started her career on the stage when she was in her early thirties. Considered to be ugly for her time, she was unable to play the roles of any romantic heroines during her youth. Instead, she was confined to comedy roles. Rutherford reportedly did not understand how any members of the audience found her funny, despite rave reviews. Luckily, as she neared forty, her dramatic talent was finally noticed and she began to take some more serious roles. Her last role was in the late 1960's, as she began to suffer from Alzheimer's, which left her unable to work. Many of Great Britain's most famed actors and actresses commemorated her death with a tribute. She is buried with her husband in Buckinghamshire.

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