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Entertainment • Actor

Irene Ryan

Irene Ryan was an American actress and comedienne best known for playing Daisy May “Granny” Moses on the television series *The Beverly Hillbillies*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Irene Ryan was an American actress and comedienne best known for playing Daisy May “Granny” Moses on the television series *The Beverly Hillbillies*. She had a long career in vaudeville, radio, film, television, and Broadway, and received Emmy nominations for her work on the series. Ryan was born Jessie Irene Noblitt in El Paso, Texas, in 1902.

Early life and stage work

Irene Ryan was born in 1902 in El Paso, Texas, and began performing at a young age. Before television made her widely famous, she had already worked in stage and radio entertainment.

Television breakthrough

Ryan became best known for her portrayal of Granny on *The Beverly Hillbillies*. The role made her a major television star and earned her Emmy nominations in 1963 and 1964.

Broadway and later career

After the television series ended, Ryan returned to stage work, including the Broadway musical *Pippin*. Her later career showed her range beyond her best-known television role.

Death and legacy

Ryan died in 1973 in Santa Monica, California. She remains strongly associated with one of American television's most recognizable sitcom characters. *The Beverly Hillbillies* remains familiar to Canadian audiences through long-running syndication and retro TV broadcasting.

Key facts

  • She was born Jessie Irene Noblitt and professionally known as Irene Ryan.
  • Ryan worked in vaudeville, radio, film, television, and Broadway.
  • Her most famous role was Granny on *The Beverly Hillbillies* (1962–1971).
  • She was nominated for Emmy Awards in 1963 and 1964 for that role.
  • She died in 1973 at age 70.
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Canadian context

Irene Ryan is part of classic North American television history, and *The Beverly Hillbillies* remains familiar to Canadian audiences through long-running syndication and retro TV broadcasting.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Irene Ryan?
Irene Ryan was an American actress and comedienne best known for playing Granny on *The Beverly Hillbillies*.
What was Irene Ryan's birth name?
Her birth name was Jessie Irene Noblitt.
What is Irene Ryan most famous for?
She is most famous for portraying Daisy May “Granny” Moses on *The Beverly Hillbillies*.
Did Irene Ryan receive major award nominations?
Yes. She received Emmy nominations in 1963 and 1964 for her role on *The Beverly Hillbillies*.
When did Irene Ryan die?
She died on April 26, 1973, at age 70.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irene_Ryan
    Supports: Birth name, birth and death dates, career overview, and *The Beverly Hillbillies* role.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Irene-Ryan
    Supports: Biographical summary and identification as the actress who played Granny on *The Beverly Hillbillies*.
  3. BroadwayWorld — https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Irene-Ryan/
    Supports: Career summary, television role, and Broadway work including *Pippin*.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0752576/bio/
    Supports: Birth and death information, career details, and later Broadway appearance.