Mark Knopfler OBE (Order of the British Empire) (born 12 August 1949) is a British (United Kingdom) guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer and film score composer.

Mark Knopfler is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977 with his brother David (David Knopfler). After Dire Straits disbanded in 1995, Knopfler continued to record and produce albums as a solo artist under his own name. Knopfler has played in other groups occasionally, such as the The Notting Hillbillies, and has guested on works by other artists, including Gerry Rafferty in his album "Another World", The Dandy Warhols, Bob Dylan, Bryan Ferry, Eric Clapton, Jeff Healey, John Fogerty, Jools Holland, Steely Dan, Emmylou Harris, Sonny Landreth, Phil Lynott, Joan Armatrading, the Chieftains, and Chet Atkins. He has produced albums for artists such as Tina Turner, Willy DeVille, Randy Newman, Bob Dylan and even "Weird Al" Yankovic.

His musical scores include Metroland (Metroland (soundtrack)), Local Hero, Cal (Cal (film)), Last Exit to Brooklyn, Wag the Dog, and Rob Reiners classic, The Princess Bride (The Princess Bride (film)).

He is one of the most respected fingerstyle (Fingerstyle guitar) guitarists of the modern rock era and was ranked #27 on Rolling Stone magazines list of "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."

Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits have sold in excess of 120 million albums to date.