Television actress who gained fame playing an iconic character on a 1960s sitcom - who is she?

The correct answer is Irene Ryan, aka "Granny" on "The Beverly Hillbillies." Born Jessie Irene Noblett in El Paso, Texas on October 17, 1902, she was an American actress who found success in vaudeville, radio, film, television and Broadway.

But Ryan is most widely known for her portrayal of "Granny," the mother-in-law of Buddy Ebsen's character, 'Jed Clampett,' on the long-running TV series for which she was nominated for Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1963 and 1964. 'The Beverly Hillbillies' ran from 1963 - 1971 and she passed away in April 1973 at age 70.

More Info: en.m.wikipedia.org

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65 Comments

Chris Lee

James Curran, the question is fine. It's about the picture - there's only one woman in the picture, and it's Irene Ryan. Yes, she was a second string player in a few roles in B movies prior to her granny gig,and earlier than that, vaudeville and radio, however that is not how we remember her. In pop culture, we don't regard her other roles as more consequential to that one major contribution which solidified her fame.

Kevin Fox

I got it even though she didn't look like "granny." My nana, God rest her soul, loved the character. Irene Ryna was only 70 when she died, might seem old to some, but it isn't. It was those damn cigarettes. She was a chain smoker, Max Baer said the fellow cast members were concerned over her addicion to them.

Florence McKenna Hiscock

I remember seeing Irene Ryan at the Emmy awards, and she was really pretty when not made up and dressed as "Granny," so I'm not surprised she was so pretty when she was young.

Rob Farr

A good U.S. TV trivia question ...

vudu

Good quiz, I really liked "Granny" - she was so down-to-earth that you couldn't help having a good rapport with her.

joycekingsmith

renegarjim, it was moonshine. You can get it in South Carolina.

lrszanto

She was amazing! One of my favorite shows ❤️

renegarjim

I didn't see a picture, but I just knew it was Irene Ryan (aka Daisey Mae Moses, granny). She was a remarkable person in real life. She used he earnings to helping struggling young actors. She invested wisely, so she had a fortune to helping those actors. Now getting back to Granny, I sure wished she had taught Elly Mae her rheumatiz medicine. My rheumatism went chronic in my early 30s (I'm 67 now), and could sure use a dose of it for my rheumatiz about now.