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