Most Famous Margarets in the World

The name Margaret—and its familiar forms like Maggie, Meg, Marg, and Margot—has traveled across eras and industries, appearing on marquees, album sleeves, and award ballots. From groundbreaking comedians to Oscar-winning actors and acclaimed filmmakers, these Margarets have built careers with measurable milestones across film, television, and music.

Below is a fact-focused tour through well-known celebrities who share this classic name. Each entry highlights concrete achievements, notable roles or recordings, and career markers so you can quickly place the name, the work, and the legacy.

Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho is a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer known for the sitcom ‘All-American Girl’ and for roles in ‘Drop Dead Diva’ and ‘The Flight Attendant’. Her comedy specials have toured internationally, and her audio and video releases have received multiple Grammy nominations.

Cho’s work also includes books, podcast hosting, and music collaborations. She has been recognized by arts and advocacy organizations, and she continues to headline festivals and international tours while appearing in film and television projects.

Margaret Qualley

Margaret Qualley earned early notice on television in ‘The Leftovers’ and gained further acclaim with leading work in ‘Maid’. Her film roles include ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’, ‘The Nice Guys’, and ‘Sanctuary’.

A trained dancer, Qualley began in modeling before moving to acting, and she has appeared in prominent fashion campaigns alongside her screen work. She has received major television award nominations, including recognition for ‘Maid’, and continues to work across studio and independent productions.

Margaret O’Brien

Margaret O’Brien was one of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s most celebrated child stars, known for roles in ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ and ‘Little Women’. She received the Academy Juvenile Award in recognition of her performances as a young actor.

O’Brien’s career extended into television and stage, with appearances across anthology series and touring productions. Her work is frequently revisited at classic film festivals and archival screenings, where restored prints of her films are shown.

Margaret Rutherford

Margaret Rutherford became widely known for portraying Miss Marple in features including ‘Murder, She Said’. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for ‘The V.I.P.s’.

Before her film career, Rutherford built a substantial stage résumé in the West End. Her screen roles in comedies and mysteries remain part of British cinema histories, and her Marple films are regularly included in classic programming.

Margaret Sullavan

Margaret Sullavan starred in ‘The Shop Around the Corner’, ‘Three Comrades’, and ‘The Good Fairy’. She collaborated with major studio-era directors and co-stars on a concise but influential filmography.

Sullavan also worked extensively on stage, balancing Broadway commitments with screen roles. Her films continue to appear in repertory cinemas and museum series, supported by studio archives and restorations.

Margaret Lockwood

Margaret Lockwood was a major British film star, known internationally for Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Lady Vanishes’. She also headlined box-office hits such as ‘The Wicked Lady’, becoming a leading figure of mid-century British cinema.

Lockwood moved among film, stage, and television as the industry evolved. She received accolades from British film institutions, and her work appears frequently in retrospectives focused on the 1930s and 1940s.

Margaret Avery

Margaret Avery earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance in ‘The Color Purple’. Her career includes roles across film and television, such as parts in ‘Being Mary Jane’ and guest appearances in network dramas.

Avery has worked in theater and recorded music alongside screen performances. She has been recognized by industry and civic organizations for contributions to the arts and appears at screenings, panels, and events connected to her landmark roles.

Margaret Colin

Margaret Colin is known for film roles in ‘Independence Day’ and ‘Three Men and a Baby’, plus television work in series like ‘Gossip Girl’. She also maintains a steady stage résumé with Broadway and off-Broadway productions.

Colin’s career spans recurring television arcs, voice work, and dramatic features. She participates in theater readings, reunions, and industry events linked to her film and television projects.

Margaret Hamilton

Margaret Hamilton is best remembered for portraying the Wicked Witch of the West in ‘The Wizard of Oz’. She also worked extensively in radio, theater, and television, including appearances on ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’.

Hamilton’s career encompassed character roles and guest spots across decades. She participated in educational programming and public events that revisited her signature role, helping introduce the film to new generations.

Margaret Whiting

Margaret Whiting was a popular singer known for standards such as Moonlight in Vermont and It Might as Well Be Spring. She recorded for leading labels, collaborated with prominent bandleaders and arrangers, and placed numerous songs on national charts.

Whiting worked across pop and country collaborations, including duet albums that extended her audience. She performed in nightclubs, television specials, and stage productions, and her recordings remain staples on classic pop and jazz playlists.

Share your favorites and any notable Margarets we missed in the comments!