Matinee Classics - Irene Ryan Biography & Filmography

Irene Ryan ACTOR

PHOTOS

IRENE RYAN BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Irene Ryan was born on October 17th, 1902 in San Francisco, California with the birth name Jessie Irene Noblett, born to parents, James Merrit Noblitt and Katherine McSharry.

Her most well known role was in 1962 on the television series, "The Beverly Hillbillies" playing the character of Granny. For this role she was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series during 1963 and 1964.

Prior to getting cast in this role she had established herself in the entertainment industry as a well known vaudeville performer as well as radio and film actress. She was also well known for co-starring with Bob Hope on NBC's Radio program, "The Bob Hope Show". She also traveled with Bob Hope during World war II to entertain the troops.

When she performed in vaudeville, she had an act with her then husband, Tim Ryan who was also a writer and they were billed as, "Tim and Irene". Later the couple had a number of short subject films for Educational Pictures.

Irene was soon adding to her resume television appearances on such shows as, "The Danny Thomas Show", "The Ray Bolger Show", "Wagon Train", "Petticoat Junction", "Mister Ed", "My Three Sons" and "The Restless Gun".

After "The Beverly Hillbillies" came to an end, Ryan focused on stage acting and performed in the Broadway production of, "Pippin". For her role in this play, she was nominated for Broadway's 1973 Tony Award as Best Supporting Actress.

She married twice throughout her lifetime, first to Tim Ryan whom she wed in 1922 and this marriage lasted until 1943. She then married Harold E. Knox in 1946 but by 1961 this marriage had also come to an end. She never had any of her own children and did not re-marry again. After focusing on working as a stage actress she became very ill and soon found out she was suffering from a brain tumor.

Sadly, she passed away on April 26th, 1973 in Santa Monica, California, unable to overcome the illness. Her remains are interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica, California.

Irene Ryan left in her will over $1,000,000 to fund the Irene Ryan Foundation which is set up to donate scholarship money to young students interested in studying theater. These students are involved with the Kennedy Center's American College Theater Festival.