Irene Ryan
Personal Info
Known for
Acting
Gender
Female
Birthday
1902-10-17
Day of Death
1973-04-26 (70 years old)
Place of Birth
El Paso, Texas, USA
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
Acting
(1966)
Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title
as Granny (uncredited)
(1960)
Desire in the Dust
as Nora Finney
(1957)
Rockabilly Baby
as Eunice Johnson
(1957)
Spring Reunion
as Miss Stapleton
(1954)
Ricochet Romance
as Miss Clay
(1952)
Blackbeard, the Pirate
as Alvina, a lady in waiting
(1952)
Bonzo Goes to College
as Nancy
(1952)
The WAC from Walla Walla
as WAC Sgt. Kearns
(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)
(1949)
Mighty Joe Young
as Southern Belle at the Bar (uncredited)
(1949)
There's a Girl in My Heart
as Mrs. Mullin
(1949)
An Old-Fashioned Girl
as Mrs. Shaw
(1948)
My Dear Secretary
as Mary
(1948)
Arch of Triumph
as Irate Wife (uncredited)
(1948)
Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven
as Opal Cheever
(1947)
The Woman on the Beach
as Mrs. Mary Wernecke
(1947)
Heading for Heaven
as Molly
(1946)
The Diary of a Chambermaid
as Louise
(1946)
Little Iodine
as Mrs. Tremble
(1945)
That Night with You
as Prudence
(1945)
That's the Spirit
as Bilson
(1945)
The Beautiful Cheat
as Miss Beatrice Kent
(1944)
Hot Rhythm
as Polly Kane (as Irene)
(1944)
San Diego I Love You
as Sheila Jones
(1943)
Reveille with Beverly
as Elsie (uncredited)
(1943)
The Sultan's Daughter
as Irene
(1943)
O, My Darling Clementine
as Irene (Princess Sheba)
(1943)
Melody Parade
as Gloria Brewster
(1943)
Sarong Girl
as Irene Raynor
(1943)
Hold Your Temper
as Edgar's Wife
(1941)
Melody for Three
as Mrs. Veronica Higby (uncredited)
(1937)
The Big Courtship
as Irene Ryan
(1937)
Will You Stop?
as Irene / Cleopatra
(1937)
His Pest Girl
as Irene
(1936)
(1936)
Peaceful Relations
as Irene
(1936)
(1935)
One Big Happy Family
as Irene