Irene Ryan
October 17, 1902 (122 years old) in El Paso, Texas, USA
Before becoming known to millions as Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), Irene Ryan was already an established vaudeville, radio and movie actress, though not as famous prior to her television stint. She accompanied Bob Hope on his famous military tours and she was known as "the gal who makes Bob Hope laugh." After being cast as Granny, she became famous overnight. When the Hillbillies ended, she co-starred in the Broadway musical 'Pippin' with Ben Vereen. Unfortunately, despite wonderful reviews from critics, Ryan took ill, was discovered to have an inoperable brain tumor and died soon after at the age of 70.
Known For
Credits
- 1970 · The Don Knotts Show as Self
- 1969 · Love, American Style as
- 1966 · Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title as Granny (uncredited)
- 1966 · Best of The Dean Martin Variety Show as
- 1965 · The Dean Martin Show as
- 1964 · The Hollywood Palace as Self - Panelist
- 1963 · The Danny Kaye Show as Self
- 1963 · Petticoat Junction as Granny
- 1962 · The Merv Griffin Show as Self
- 1962 · The Beverly Hillbillies as Granny
- 1961 · Mister Ed as
- 1960 · Bringing Up Buddy as
- 1960 · Desire in the Dust as Nora Finney
- 1960 · My Three Sons as
- 1957 · Rockabilly Baby as Eunice Johnson
- 1957 · The Real McCoys as
- 1957 · Alcoa Theatre as Martha Henderson
- 1957 · Spring Reunion as Miss Stapleton
- 1955 · Matinee Theater as
- 1954 · Ricochet Romance as Miss Clay
- 1954 · The Whistler as
- 1953 · General Electric Theater as Mrs. Bryant
- 1952 · Blackbeard, the Pirate as Alvina, a lady in waiting
- 1952 · The WAC From Walla Walla as WAC Sgt. Kearns
- 1952 · Bonzo Goes to College as Nancy
- 1951 · Meet Me After the Show as Tillie
- 1951 · Half Angel as Nurse Kay
- 1950 · The Skipper Surprised His Wife as Mrs. O'Rourke (uncredited)
- 1950 · The Bob Hope Show as Self
- 1949 · There's a Girl in My Heart as Mrs. Mullin
- 1949 · Mighty Joe Young as Southern Belle at the Bar (uncredited)
- 1949 · An Old-Fashioned Girl as Mrs. Shaw
- 1948 · My Dear Secretary as Mary
- 1948 · Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven as Opal Cheever
- 1948 · Arch of Triumph as Irate Wife (uncredited)
- 1947 · Heading for Heaven as Molly
- 1947 · The Woman on the Beach as Mrs. Mary Wernecke
- 1946 · Little Iodine as Mrs. Tremble
- 1946 · The Diary of a Chambermaid as Louise
- 1945 · That Night with You as Prudence
- 1945 · The Beautiful Cheat as Miss Beatrice Kent
- 1945 · That's the Spirit as Bilson
- 1944 · San Diego I Love You as Sheila Jones
- 1944 · Hot Rhythm as Polly Kane (as Irene)
- 1943 · O, My Darling Clementine as Irene (Princess Sheba)
- 1943 · The Sultan's Daughter as Irene
- 1943 · Melody Parade as Gloria Brewster
- 1943 · Sarong Girl as Irene Raynor
- 1943 · Hold Your Temper as Edgar's Wife
- 1943 · Reveille with Beverly as Elsie (uncredited)
- 1941 · Melody for Three as Mrs. Veronica Higby (uncredited)
- 1937 · Will You Stop? as Irene / Cleopatra
- 1937 · His Pest Girl as Irene
- 1937 · The Big Courtship as Irene Ryan
- 1936 · The Wacky Family as
- 1936 · Peaceful Relations as Irene
- 1936 · Just Plain Folks as
- 1935 · One Big Happy Family as Irene