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{{Refimprove|date=June 2010}}
{{Refimprove|date=June 2010}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Irene Ryan
| name = Irene Ryan
| image = Granny-Clampett.jpg
| image = Granny-Clampett.jpg
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| caption = Ryan as Daisy "Granny" Moses, on ''The Beverly Hillbillies''
| caption = Ryan as Daisy "Granny" Moses, on ''The Beverly Hillbillies''
| occupation = Actress
| occupation = Actress
| birthname = Irene Noblitt
| birthname = Jessie Irene Noblitt
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1902|10|17}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1902|10|17}}
| birth_place = [[El Paso, Texas]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[El Paso, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1973|4|26|1902|10|17}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1973|4|26|1902|10|17}}
| death_place = [[New York City, New York]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Santa Monica, California]], U.S.
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Tim Ryan (actor)|Tim Ryan]]|1922|1942}}<br>{{marriage|[[Harold E. Knox]]|1946|1961}}
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Tim Ryan (actor)|Tim Ryan]]|1922|1942}}<br>{{marriage|[[Harold E. Knox]]|1946|1961}}
| yearsactive = 1935-1973
| yearsactive = 1935-1973
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==Early life and career==
==Early life and career==
Irene Ryan, was born '''Irene Noblitt''' in [[El Paso, Texas]]. She was born to an [[United States|American]] father, James Merrit Noblitt, and an [[Irish people|Irish]] immigrant mother, Katherine "Katie" McSharry.
Irene Ryan, was born '''Jessie Irene Noblitt''' in [[El Paso, Texas]]. She was born to an [[United States|American]] father, James Merrit Noblitt, and an [[Irish people|Irish]] immigrant mother, Katherine "Katie" McSharry.


Before her role as "Granny" on ''The Beverly Hillbillies'', Ryan was an established [[vaudeville]], radio, and movie actress, though not as well known prior to her television stint. Ryan and her first husband, writer-comedian [[Tim Ryan (actor)|Tim Ryan]], were popular in vaudeville. Their type of double act, known in show business as a "Dumb Dora" routine and epitomized by [[George Burns]] and [[Gracie Allen]], had the dizzy woman saying silly things and frustrating the straight-man "boyfriend" or husband." The couple, billed as "Tim and Irene," had their own series of short subjects in the 1930s for [[Educational Pictures]], and later worked in feature films for [[Monogram Pictures]].
Before her role as "Granny" on ''The Beverly Hillbillies'', Ryan was an established [[vaudeville]], radio, and movie actress, though not as well known prior to her television stint. Ryan and her first husband, writer-comedian [[Tim Ryan (actor)|Tim Ryan]], were popular in vaudeville. Their type of double act, known in show business as a "Dumb Dora" routine and epitomized by [[George Burns]] and [[Gracie Allen]], had the dizzy woman saying silly things and frustrating the straight-man "boyfriend" or husband." The couple, billed as "Tim and Irene," had their own series of short subjects in the 1930s for [[Educational Pictures]], and later worked in feature films for [[Monogram Pictures]].
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==Death==
==Death==
In April 1973, Ryan suffered a [[stroke]] during a performance of ''Pippin''. Earlier in the year, her friend and fellow ''Beverly Hillbillies'' cast member, [[Nancy Kulp]], had tried to persuade her not to go to New York for the musical. Ryan had been diagnosed with a [[brain tumor]] some time previously, but reportedly was never made aware of it. Several days after she fell ill, Irene Ryan died on April 26, 1973. She was 70. Pallbearers at Ryan's California funeral included ''Hillbillies'' co-stars [[Buddy Ebsen]] and [[Max Baer, Jr.]], along with ''Beverly Hillbillies'' creator [[Paul Henning]]. The funeral was also attended by [[Donna Douglas]], [[Harriet MacGibbon]], [[Louis Nye]], and others associated with the series. Her body was interred in a mausoleum crypt at the [[Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery]] in [[Santa Monica, California]], beside her sister, Anna Thompson.
In April 1973, Ryan suffered a [[stroke]] during a performance of ''Pippin''. Earlier in the year, her friend and fellow ''Beverly Hillbillies'' cast member, [[Nancy Kulp]], had tried to persuade her not to go to New York for the musical. Ryan had been diagnosed with a [[brain tumor]] some time previously, but reportedly was never made aware of it. Several days after she fell ill, Ryan died on April 26, 1973 in [[Santa Monica, California]]. She was 70 years old.
Pallbearers at Ryan's California funeral included ''Hillbillies'' co-stars [[Buddy Ebsen]] and [[Max Baer, Jr.]], along with ''Beverly Hillbillies'' creator [[Paul Henning]]. The funeral was also attended by [[Donna Douglas]], [[Harriet MacGibbon]], [[Louis Nye]], and others associated with the series. Her body was interred in a mausoleum crypt at the [[Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery]] in [[Santa Monica, California]], beside her sister, Anna Thompson.


==Legacy and charitable causes==
==Legacy and charitable causes==
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{{Persondata
{{Persondata
|NAME= Ryan, Irene
|NAME= Ryan, Irene
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Noblitt, Irene
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Noblitt, Jessie Irene
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= Actress
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= Actress
|DATE OF BIRTH= October 17, 1902
|DATE OF BIRTH= October 17, 1902
|PLACE OF BIRTH= [[El Paso, Texas]], U.S.
|PLACE OF BIRTH= [[El Paso, Texas]], U.S.
|DATE OF DEATH= April 26, 1973
|DATE OF DEATH= April 26, 1973
|PLACE OF DEATH= [[New York City, New York]], U.S.
|PLACE OF DEATH= [[Santa Monica, California]], U.S.
}}
}}


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[[Category:American radio actors]]
[[Category:American radio actors]]
[[Category:Deaths from stroke]]
[[Category:Deaths from stroke]]
[[Category:Disease-related deaths in California]]
[[Category:People from El Paso, Texas]]
[[Category:People from El Paso, Texas]]
[[Category:Vaudeville performers]]
[[Category:Vaudeville performers]]

Revision as of 12:46, 2 June 2011

Irene Ryan
File:Granny-Clampett.jpg
Ryan as Daisy "Granny" Moses, on The Beverly Hillbillies
Born
Jessie Irene Noblitt

(1902-10-17)October 17, 1902
El Paso, Texas, U.S.
DiedApril 26, 1973(1973-04-26) (aged 70)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1935-1973
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 1922⁠–⁠1942)​

​
(m. 1946⁠–⁠1961)​

Irene Ryan (October 17, 1902 – April 26, 1973) was an American actress, one of the few entertainers who found success in vaudeville, radio, film, television and Broadway.

She is most widely known for her portrayal of "Granny" on the long-running TV series The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971), for which she was nominated for Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1963 and 1964.

Early life and career

Irene Ryan, was born Jessie Irene Noblitt in El Paso, Texas. She was born to an American father, James Merrit Noblitt, and an Irish immigrant mother, Katherine "Katie" McSharry.

Before her role as "Granny" on The Beverly Hillbillies, Ryan was an established vaudeville, radio, and movie actress, though not as well known prior to her television stint. Ryan and her first husband, writer-comedian Tim Ryan, were popular in vaudeville. Their type of double act, known in show business as a "Dumb Dora" routine and epitomized by George Burns and Gracie Allen, had the dizzy woman saying silly things and frustrating the straight-man "boyfriend" or husband." The couple, billed as "Tim and Irene," had their own series of short subjects in the 1930s for Educational Pictures, and later worked in feature films for Monogram Pictures.

After divorcing Tim Ryan, Irene toured with comedian Bob Hope and made regular appearances on his radio show. In 1946 she married Harold Knox. She continued to work in motion pictures of the late 1940s and early 1950s, generally playing fussy or nervous women. In January 1955, Ryan made her first television sitcom appearance on an episode of CBS's The Danny Thomas Show.[1] Later that same month, she appeared in ABC's The Ray Bolger Show.[2]

The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971)

In 1962, Ryan was cast as Daisy "Granny" Moses, the matriarch of the Clampett clan, in the CBS-TV comedy series The Beverly Hillbillies. The sitcom ran on the CBS network from 1962 to 1971, and after the show ended Ryan established the Irene Ryan Acting Competition, providing annual scholarships for promising student actors. According to Filmways Publicist Ted Switzer, series creator and producer Paul Henning had decided to cast Bea Benaderet as Granny; however, when Ryan read for the role, “with her hair tied back in a bun and feisty as all get out, she just blew everyone away.” Al Simon (executive producer) and Henning immediately said: “That’s Granny.” Later when Benaderet saw Ryan’s tryout, she agreed. Benaderet was then cast as cousin Pearl.[3]

Pippin (1972)

In 1972 Ryan helped to create and also starred in the role of Berthe in the Bob Fosse-directed Broadway musical Pippin, in which she sang the number "No Time At All," which mentions, "a man who calls me Granny." In 1973, Ryan was nominated for Broadway's 1973 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical) for her performance in the musical. She lost to Patricia Elliott (A Little Night Music), in a ceremony held about a month prior to Ryan's death. After Ryan's passing, the role of Berthe was assumed by veteran actress Dorothy Stickney. Lucie Lancaster later assumed the role.

Personal life

Tim and Irene Ryan were married in 1922 and divorced in 1942. Irene married her second husband, Harold E. Knox, in 1946; they divorced in 1961.

Death

In April 1973, Ryan suffered a stroke during a performance of Pippin. Earlier in the year, her friend and fellow Beverly Hillbillies cast member, Nancy Kulp, had tried to persuade her not to go to New York for the musical. Ryan had been diagnosed with a brain tumor some time previously, but reportedly was never made aware of it. Several days after she fell ill, Ryan died on April 26, 1973 in Santa Monica, California. She was 70 years old.

Pallbearers at Ryan's California funeral included Hillbillies co-stars Buddy Ebsen and Max Baer, Jr., along with Beverly Hillbillies creator Paul Henning. The funeral was also attended by Donna Douglas, Harriet MacGibbon, Louis Nye, and others associated with the series. Her body was interred in a mausoleum crypt at the Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery in Santa Monica, California, beside her sister, Anna Thompson.

Legacy and charitable causes

Having no living relatives, Ryan left more than $1,000,000 estate to fund the Irene Ryan Foundation, which donates scholarships to young theater arts students involved with the Kennedy Center's American College Theater Festival.

References

  1. ^ "Irene Ryan". Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  2. ^ "Where's Raymond?/The Ray Bolger Show". ctva.biz. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  3. ^ The Beverly Hillbillies Ultimate Collection DVD set, Volume 1 Disc 4, Bonus materials film: Paul Henning and the Hillbillies @ time index 23:28

External links

Template:Persondata

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