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IMDbPro

Irene Ryan(1902-1973)

  • Actress
  • Soundtrack
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,0003461
"The Beverly Hillbillies" Irene Ryan circa 1966
The Beverly Hillbillies
Play trailer1:24
The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971)
1 Video
99+ Photos
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.
BornOctober 17, 1902
DiedApril 26, 1973(70)
BornOctober 17, 1902
DiedApril 26, 1973(70)
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,0003461
  • Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
    • 1 win & 5 nominations total

Photos144

Buddy Ebsen, Raymond Bailey, Nancy Kulp, Hayden Rorke, and Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
Buddy Ebsen and Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
Hayden Rorke and Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
Hayden Rorke and Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
Hayden Rorke and Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
Buddy Ebsen, Max Baer Jr., Donna Douglas, Michel Petit, Hayden Rorke, Irene Ryan, and Charlie in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
Buddy Ebsen, Michel Petit, Hayden Rorke, and Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
Max Baer Jr. and Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
Bea Benaderet and Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
Donna Douglas, Irene Ryan, and Bobby in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
Donna Douglas, Irene Ryan, and Bobby in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)

Known for:

Buddy Ebsen, Max Baer Jr., Donna Douglas, and Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
The Beverly Hillbillies
7.2
TV Series
  • Daisy Moses
Bea Benaderet, Edgar Buchanan, Frank Cady, Linda Henning, Jeannine Riley, Pat Woodell, and Higgins in Petticoat Junction (1963)
Petticoat Junction
7.0
TV Series
  • Granny Daisy Moses
Irene Ryan and Tim Ryan in Will You Stop! (1937)
Will You Stop!
5.6
Short
  • Irene
  • Cleopatra(as Tim and Irene/Irene Noblette)
  • 1937
Harry Langdon, Jerry Cooper, Joan Curtis, Dona Drake, Robert Lowery, Irene Ryan, and Tim Ryan in Hot Rhythm (1944)
Hot Rhythm
6.0
  • Polly Kane(as Irene)
  • 1944

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actress

  • Love, American Style (1969)
    Love, American Style
    6.8
    TV Series
    • Ida Beckman (segment "Love and the Old Swingers")
    • Mother (segment "Love and the Lost Dog")
    • 1970–1972
  • Buddy Ebsen, Max Baer Jr., Donna Douglas, and Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
    The Beverly Hillbillies
    7.2
    TV Series
    • Daisy Moses
    • 1962–1971
  • Bea Benaderet, Edgar Buchanan, Frank Cady, Linda Henning, Jeannine Riley, Pat Woodell, and Higgins in Petticoat Junction (1963)
    Petticoat Junction
    7.0
    TV Series
    • Granny Daisy Moses
    • 1968
  • Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title (1966)
    Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title
    4.6
    • Granny (uncredited)
    • 1966
  • Allan Lane, Alan Young, and Mister Ed in Mister Ed (1961)
    Mister Ed
    6.9
    TV Series
    • Granny Clampett
    • 1965
  • John McIntire in Wagon Train (1957)
    Wagon Train
    7.5
    TV Series
    • Martha Gresham
    • 1962
  • Ichabod and Me (1961)
    Ichabod and Me
    6.7
    TV Series
    • Ellie McCabe
    • 1962
  • Ronald Reagan in Se parhaiten nauraa... (1953)
    Se parhaiten nauraa...
    6.9
    TV Series
    • Mrs. Bryant
    • 1962
  • Tim Considine, William Frawley, Don Grady, Stanley Livingston, and Fred MacMurray in Kolme poikaani (1960)
    Kolme poikaani
    7.1
    TV Series
    • Rusty Wallace
    • 1962
  • Bringing Up Buddy (1960)
    Bringing Up Buddy
    7.7
    TV Series
    • Cynthia Boyle
    • 1961
  • Joan Bennett, Raymond Burr, Brett Halsey, Martha Hyer, and Ken Scott in Desire in the Dust (1960)
    Desire in the Dust
    6.0
    • Nora Finney
    • 1960
  • Tom, Dick and Harry
    TV Movie
    • Customer No. 1
    • 1960
  • Alcoa Theatre (1957)
    Alcoa Theatre
    7.4
    TV Series
    • Martha Henderson
    • 1959
  • Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna, and Kathleen Nolan in The Real McCoys (1957)
    The Real McCoys
    7.6
    TV Series
    • Miss Muehlbach
    • 1959
  • John Payne in The Restless Gun (1957)
    The Restless Gun
    7.5
    TV Series
    • Mrs. Thelma Taylor
    • 1958

Soundtrack

  • Fred Astaire and Barrie Chase in The Hollywood Palace (1964)
    The Hollywood Palace
    8.2
    TV Series
    • performer: "I'm A Woman"
    • 1969
  • Buddy Ebsen, Max Baer Jr., Donna Douglas, and Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
    The Beverly Hillbillies
    7.2
    TV Series
    • performer: "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
    • 1962
  • Harry Langdon, Jerry Cooper, Joan Curtis, Dona Drake, Robert Lowery, Irene Ryan, and Tim Ryan in Hot Rhythm (1944)
    Hot Rhythm
    6.0
    • performer: "They Cut Down the Old Pine Tree" (1929) (uncredited), "The Happiest Girl in Town" (1944)
    • 1944
  • Armida, Mary Beth Hughes, Eddie Quillan, Irene Ryan, and Tim Ryan in Melody Parade (1943)
    Melody Parade
    5.5
    • performer: "Mr. and Mrs. Commando"
    • 1943
  • Just Plain Folks
    4.8
    Short
    • performer: "Home On the Range"
    • 1936

Funny Women of Television

Funny Women of Television

We salute the brilliant women behind all those unforgettable laughs on the small screen.
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Production art
Photos

Videos1

The Beverly Hillbillies
Trailer 1:24
The Beverly Hillbillies

Personal details

Edit
  • Alternative names
    • Tim and Irene
  • Height
    • 1.57 m
  • Born
    • October 17, 1902
    • El Paso, Texas, USA
  • Died
    • April 26, 1973
    • Santa Monica, California, USA(glioblastoma and arteriosclerotic heart disease)
  • Spouses
      Harold E. KnoxMarch 17, 1946 - October 18, 1961 (divorced)
  • Parents
      James Merrit Noblitt
  • Other works
    Stage: Appeared (as "Berthe") in "Pippin" on Broadway. Musical comedy. Book by Roger O. Hirson (uncredited). Book by / choreographed by / directed by Bob Fosse. Music / lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Musical Director: Stanley Lebowsky. Music orchestrated by Ralph Burns. Dance arrangements by John Berkman. Imperial Theatre (moved to The Minskoff Theatre from 15 Mar 1977-close): 23 Oct 1972-12 Jun 1977 (1944 performances + 5 previews that began on 18 Oct 1972). Cast: Eric Berry (as "Charles"), Jill Clayburgh (as "Catherine"), Leland Palmer (as "Fastrada"), John Rubinstein (as "Pippin"), Ben Vereen (as "Leading Player"), Roger A. Bigelow (as "Dance Alternate"), Candy Brown (as "Player"), Christopher Chadman (as "Lewis"), Cheryl Clark (as "Dance Alternate"), Kathryn Doby (as "Player"), Gene Foote (as "Noble"), Roger Hamilton (as "The Head" / "Field Marshal"), Richard Korthaze (as "Beggar"), John Mineo (as "Musician"), Jennifer Nairn-Smith (as "Player"), Shane Nickerson (as "Theo"), Ann Reinking (as "Player"), Paul Solen (as "Peasant"), Pamela Sousa (as "Player"). Standbys: Northern J. Calloway (as "Leading Player"), Lucie Lancaster (as "Berthe"), Will McMillan (as "Theo"), Walter Willison (as "Pippin"). Understudies: Candy Brown (as "Fastrada"), Gene Foote (as "Leading Player"), Roger Hamilton (as "Charles"), Ann Reinking (as "Catherine"). Replacement actors included: Sandahl Bergman (as "Player") [unknown date], Betty Buckley (as "Catherine") [from 11 Jun 1973-?], Antonia Ellis (as "Fastrada") [from 5 Jan 1976-?], Lucie Lancaster (as "Berthe") [from Apr 1973-?], Fay Sappington (as "Berthe") [from 18 Aug 1975-?; final Broadway role), Dorothy Stickney (as "Berthe") [from 11 Jun 1973-?]. Produced by Stuart Ostrow. NOTE: (1) Irene Ryan died on April 26, 1973. She was replaced by Lucie Lancaster. (2) Irene Ryan was nominated (posthumously) for Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical).
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Portrayal
    • 3 Articles

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Her gravestone has the name Granny on it.
  • Nickname
    • Reenie

FAQ13

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