M .G. Ramachandran was a great political leader and actor of Tamil Nadu. He was born in 1917 at Kendi in Sri Lanka. He belonged to a poor family. His father died when he was a child. His family settled in Tamil Nadu. Ramachandran could not finish his studies, as very early in his life he became the bread-winner of his family. He joined a drama company. Later, he started to get film offers and he soon became a popular actor. His popularity as an actor proved to be a blessing in disguise.
In 1953, MGR joined the Dravida Munnetra Kadhagam. He became a member of the state Legislative Council in 1962. He was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1967, and subsequently in the elections of 1971, 1977, 1980 and 1984. In 1972, he founded the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kadhagam (AIADMK), which contested and won the subsequent elections. In 1977, he became the first film actor in India to become the Chief Minister of a state. He continued as the Chief Minister for the rest of his life. He died on December 24,198 7.