Irene Ryan
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
Bob Hope's World of Comedy
as Self - Tribute Montage (archive footage)
Bob Hope's World of Comedy
as Self - Tribute Montage (archive footage)
Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title
as Granny (uncredited)
Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title
as Granny (uncredited)
Desire in the Dust
as Nora Finney
Desire in the Dust
as Nora Finney
Rockabilly Baby
as Eunice Johnson
Rockabilly Baby
as Eunice Johnson
Spring Reunion
as Miss Stapleton
Spring Reunion
as Miss Stapleton
Ricochet Romance
as Miss Clay
Ricochet Romance
as Miss Clay
Blackbeard, the Pirate
as Alvina, a lady in waiting
Blackbeard, the Pirate
as Alvina, a lady in waiting
The WAC from Walla Walla
as WAC Sgt. Kearns
The WAC from Walla Walla
as WAC Sgt. Kearns
Bonzo Goes to College
as Nancy
Bonzo Goes to College
as Nancy
Meet Me After the Show
as Tillie
Meet Me After the Show
as Tillie
Half Angel
as Kay
Half Angel
as Kay
The Skipper Surprised His Wife
as Mrs. O'Rourke (uncredited)
The Skipper Surprised His Wife
as Mrs. O'Rourke (uncredited)
There's a Girl in My Heart
as Mrs. Mullin
There's a Girl in My Heart
as Mrs. Mullin
Mighty Joe Young
as Southern Belle at the Bar (uncredited)
Mighty Joe Young
as Southern Belle at the Bar (uncredited)
An Old-Fashioned Girl
as Mrs. Shaw
An Old-Fashioned Girl
as Mrs. Shaw
My Dear Secretary
as Mary
My Dear Secretary
as Mary
Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven
as Opal Cheever
Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven
as Opal Cheever
Arch of Triumph
as Irate Wife (uncredited)
Arch of Triumph
as Irate Wife (uncredited)
Heading for Heaven
as Molly
Heading for Heaven
as Molly
The Woman on the Beach
as Mrs. Mary Wernecke
The Woman on the Beach
as Mrs. Mary Wernecke
Little Iodine
as Mrs. Tremble
Little Iodine
as Mrs. Tremble
The Diary of a Chambermaid
as Louise
The Diary of a Chambermaid
as Louise
That Night with You
as Prudence
That Night with You
as Prudence
The Beautiful Cheat
as Miss Beatrice Kent
The Beautiful Cheat
as Miss Beatrice Kent
That's the Spirit
as Bilson
That's the Spirit
as Bilson
San Diego I Love You
as Miss Jones
San Diego I Love You
as Miss Jones
Hot Rhythm
as Polly Kane (as Irene)
Hot Rhythm
as Polly Kane (as Irene)
O, My Darling Clementine
as Irene (Princess Sheba)
O, My Darling Clementine
as Irene (Princess Sheba)
The Sultan's Daughter
as Irene
The Sultan's Daughter
as Irene
Melody Parade
as Gloria Brewster
Melody Parade
as Gloria Brewster
Sarong Girl
as Irene Raynor
Sarong Girl
as Irene Raynor
Hold Your Temper
as Edgar's Wife
Hold Your Temper
as Edgar's Wife
Reveille with Beverly
as Elsie (uncredited)
Reveille with Beverly
as Elsie (uncredited)
Melody for Three
as Mrs. Veronica Higby (uncredited)
Melody for Three
as Mrs. Veronica Higby (uncredited)
Will You Stop?
as Irene / Cleopatra
Will You Stop?
as Irene / Cleopatra
His Pest Girl
as Irene
His Pest Girl
as Irene
The Big Courtship
as Irene Ryan
The Big Courtship
as Irene Ryan
The Wacky Family
The Wacky Family
Peaceful Relations
as Irene
Peaceful Relations
as Irene
Just Plain Folks
Just Plain Folks
One Big Happy Family
as Irene
One Big Happy Family
as Irene