Irene Ryan (October 17, 1902 - April 26, 1973)

She was a tiny little burst of energy. Irene Ryan began in vaudeville and eventually ended up on radio. She was a regular performer on "The Bob Hope Show" from 1948 until 1950. She appeared in 46 films between 1935 and 1966. On television she appeared on "The NBC Comedy Hour", "The Andy Williams Show", "Password", "The Hollywood Squares", "The Hollywood Palace", "The Bob Hope Show", "Make Room for Daddy", "The Real McCoys", "General Electric Theater", "Wagon Train" and "Love, American Style." In 1962, she was given the role that would define her career. That was the year she was cast as Daisy Moses better known as Granny on the sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies." Joining actors Buddy Ebsen, Donna Douglas, Max Baer, Jr., Raymond Bailey, Bea Benaderet, Nancy Kulp, and Harriet E. MacGibbon the show debuted in the fall of 1962 and would go onto run for nine seasons. The character of Granny became so popular that Ryan carried her over to the sitcoms "Petticoat Junction" and "Mister Ed" for brief visits. Granny had her share of adversaries, she was always at odds with neighbor Margaret Drysdale (MacGibbon), Cousin Pearl Bodine (Benaderet) and former backwoods neighbor Elverna Bradshaw (played by Elvia Allman). At one point she thought that general store owner Sam Drucker (Frank Cady of "Petticoat Junction" and "Green Acres") was going to propose to her. When the series ended in 1971, Ryan was offered the opportunity she always wanted - a chance to appear in a Broadway musical. While appearing in the show "Pippin" Ryan suffered a stroke and collapsed on stage. It was later discovered that she was suffering from a brain tumor. Although she passed away 35 years ago her legacy is still alive thanks to a scholarship she created with her earnings from "The Beverly Hillbillies." Irene Ryan's shrill of a voice and small frame will always be in the hearts and memories of everyone who ever "set a spell and took their shoes off."

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