Maruthur Gopala Ramachandran popularly known by his initials M. G. R. or Puratchi Thalaivar(Revolutionary Leader)  (January 17, 1917 – December 24, 1987, was a Tamil Indian film actor and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death.

M. G. R. was born in Nawalapitiya near Kandy in Sri Lanka, to Gopala Menon and Maruthur Satyabhama.

Making his film debut in 1935, in the film Sati Leelavati, M. G. R. dominated Tamil Cinema for many decades as a commercial entertainer and a favourite hero. Generally starring in romance or action films. He rose to stardom by playing characters that portrayed him as the saviour of the poor. For the next twenty-five years he remained one of the biggest celebrity in Tamil cinema.. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for the film Rickshakaran.