Before being known to millions as "Granny" on The Beverly Hillbillies, Irene Ryan was an established vaudeville, radio and movie actress, though not as famous prior to her television stint. She was a part of Bob Hope's famous military tours and she was known as "the gal who makes Bob Hope laugh." After getting her role 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 and died soon after at the age of 71.



When she didn't have her Granny Clampett make-up on, she often went unrecognized on the streets. 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. Radio: Co-starred on NBC Radio's [i]The Bob Hope Show[/i]. [1948-1950] 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 Clampett. 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. Toured with Bob Hope's USO troupe during World War II.