Trivia

Toured with Bob Hope's USO troupe during World War II.

Her gravestone has the name Granny on it.

In a live interview, Max Baer Jr., who played Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), stated that Irene "smoked like a chimney", which made other cast members fear for her health.

Had no surviving relatives; with an estate worth over $1 million, she decided to start the Irene Ryan Foundation for theatre aspirants.

Was the first member of the Beverly hillbillies cast to pass away.

When she didn't have her Granny make-up on, she often went unrecognized on the streets.

Played Buddy Ebsen's mother In-Law on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), in real-life, Ryan was six years Ebsen's senior.

Since 1972, college thespians have competed annually for the prestigious Irene Ryan Scholarships (started by the Irene Ryan Foundation) at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

Interred at Woodlawn Cemetery, Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California. Plot Mausoleum, Corridor C, Crypt 109.

Irene wrote a cookbook called "Granny's Hillbilly Cookbook." Where she actually has a recipe for possum. She describe the taste similar to pork.

Often appeared as a celebrity panelist on Allen Ludden's Password (1961) in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Irene owned and frequently stayed at a summer cottage on Clark Lake in Jackson County, Michigan.

She played the same character (Daisy Moses) on three different series: Mister Ed (1961), The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) and Petticoat Junction (1963). And while not actually appearing on an episode of the series she played the same character in the Green Acres (1965) verse. Characters from GA appeared with her in one crossover episode of BHB; The Thanksgiving Spirit (1968).

After the cancellation of The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), she was offered a starring role in a proposed TV series in which she would have played a character similar to that of Granny. Despite her interest in the idea of doing a new series, she decided to put the project on hold so that she could fulfill her dream of performing on Broadway. Ultimately, the proposed TV series never came into fruition, since her death in 1973 ended any chances of it being produced.

According to Filmways publicist Ted Switzer, series creator and producer Paul Henning had decided to cast Bea Benaderet as Granny, but when Ryan read for the role "with her hair tied back in a bun and feisty as all get-out," everyone was taken with her performance. Executive producer Al Simon and Henning immediately said, "That's Granny!" Later, when Benaderet saw Ryan's audition, she agreed. Benaderet was cast as Jed Clampett's cousin, Pearl Bodine.

(1948-1950) Radio: Co-starred on NBC Radio's The Bob Hope Show.

In both 1963 and 1964, Ryan was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead).

She was the daughter of Catherine J. (McSherry) and James Merritt Noblitt. Her father was born in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Her mother was Irish.

In a live interview, Max Baer Jr., who played Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), he stated that she was a drinker and a smoker, which led to the stroke that eventually took over her life.

In 1966, Irene Ryan played Granny in the comedy Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title (1966), co-starring Rose Marie and Morey Amsterdam.

In 1972, Irene Ryan starred as Berthe in the Bob Fosse-directed Broadway musical Pippin, in which she sang the number "No Time at All." A live recording (sound with still photographs) was made.

Best known for her role as Buddy Ebsen's mother-in-law, 'Daisy Moses', on the popular sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies (1962).

In 1965, Ryan signed a two-year contract to perform at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ryan was nominated for Broadway's 1973 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical) for her performance in Pippin. She lost to Patricia Elliott (A Little Night Music) in a ceremony held about a month before Ryan's death.

There is the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships provide recognition, honor, and financial assistance to outstanding student performers wishing to pursue further education. The Irene Ryan Foundation awards sixteen regional and two national scholarships annually.

A native of El Paso, Texas.