Irene Ryan was born in El Paso, Texas on October 17, 1902 to James and Kathleen Noblette. She started in show business at an early age, but never made it big, until she became "Granny," a household name. Early in Ryan's career, she was a vaudeville headliner and worked with Bob Hope on the radio. She later toured military installations with Hope.

Ryan, known as Reenie by her friends, was one of the most revered cast members on the series. She loved her role and put all of herself into it. When the series ended, Ryan established a trust fund which awarded scholarships to outstanding theater arts students throughout the country. That scholarship is still in existance today.

While performing in Pippin in 1973, Ryan suffered a stroke. She died of a brain tumor on April 26, 1973 at the age of 71.