Irene Ryan (October 17, 1902 – April 26, 1973) was an Emmy- and Tony Award-nominated actress, one of the few entertainers who found success in vaudeville, radio, film, television and Broadway.

She is most widely known for her portrayal of "Granny" on the long-running TV series The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971), for which she was nominated for Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead)" in 1963 and 1964.

Some reports claim that Irene Ryan, who was born Irene Noblette, was born in El Paso, Texas. She was born to an American father and an Irish immigrant mother.