Irene Ryan
Born: 1902-10-17 in El Paso, Texas, USA
Died: 1973-04-26
Known For: Acting
Biography
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.
Filmography
1970
- The Don Knotts Show as Self
1969
1966
- Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title as Granny (uncredited)
1965
1964
- The Hollywood Palace as Self - Panelist
1963
- Petticoat Junction as Granny
- The Danny Kaye Show as Self
1962
- The Merv Griffin Show as Self
- The Beverly Hillbillies as Granny
1961
1960
- My Three Sons
- Bringing Up Buddy
- Desire in the Dust as Nora Finney
1957
- The Real McCoys
- Alcoa Theatre as Martha Henderson
- Spring Reunion as Miss Stapleton
- Rockabilly Baby as Eunice Johnson
1955
1954
- The Whistler
- Ricochet Romance as Miss Clay
1953
- General Electric Theater as Mrs. Bryant
1952
- Blackbeard, the Pirate as Alvina, a lady in waiting
- The WAC from Walla Walla as WAC Sgt. Kearns
- Bonzo Goes to College as Nancy
1951
- Half Angel as Kay
- Meet Me After the Show as Tillie
1950
- The Bob Hope Show as Self
- The Skipper Surprised His Wife as Mrs. O'Rourke (uncredited)
1949
- Mighty Joe Young as Southern Belle at the Bar (uncredited)
- There's a Girl in My Heart as Mrs. Mullin
- An Old-Fashioned Girl as Mrs. Shaw
1948
- Arch of Triumph as Irate Wife (uncredited)
- My Dear Secretary as Mary
- Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven as Opal Cheever
1947
- The Woman on the Beach as Mrs. Mary Wernecke
- Heading for Heaven as Molly
1946
- The Diary of a Chambermaid as Louise
- Little Iodine as Mrs. Tremble
1945
- That's the Spirit as Bilson
- That Night with You as Prudence
- The Beautiful Cheat as Miss Beatrice Kent
1944
- San Diego I Love You as Miss Jones
- Hot Rhythm as Polly Kane (as Irene)
1943
- O, My Darling Clementine as Irene (Princess Sheba)
- The Sultan's Daughter as Irene
- Reveille with Beverly as Elsie (uncredited)
- Sarong Girl as Irene Raynor
- Hold Your Temper as Edgar's Wife
- Melody Parade as Gloria Brewster
1941
- Melody for Three as Mrs. Veronica Higby (uncredited)
1937
- His Pest Girl as Irene
- The Big Courtship as Irene Ryan
- Will You Stop? as Irene / Cleopatra
1936
1935
- One Big Happy Family as Irene