Jane Darwell (1879-1967) was an American actress with a long and prolific career, which began in silent films and successfully continued into the sound era.

She is best remembered for her intense portrayal of Ma Joad in John Ford's drama *Furore* (The Grapes of Wrath, 1940), a role for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Specializing in character roles, Darwell excelled at depicting elderly women, strong and caring mothers, or wise and resilient figures, often of humble origin but possessing great dignity.

Among her numerous appearances, noteworthy is her poignant portrayal of the "Bird Woman" in *Mary Poppins* (1964), her final film. Her screen presence was synonymous with authenticity and warmth, making her one of Hollywood's most beloved character actresses.