**Evelyn Varden (1893-1958)** was an American character actress, known for her prolific film career, which she embarked on after years of stage success.

She excelled at portraying older women, often aristocratic, eccentric, or strong-willed, with a touch of snobbery or an authoritarian air. Her screen presence was imposing, and her ability to make even supporting characters vivid made her a memorable figure.

Among her most iconic roles was that of Mrs. Satterthwaite in Orson Welles's **The Magnificent Ambersons** (1942), a key figure in the family's disintegration. She was equally effective in **Pinky** (1949), a social drama, and gave a haunting performance as the macabre Rachel Cooper in Charles Laughton's **The Night of the Hunter** (1955), demonstrating her remarkable versatility.