Irene Ryan was terrified she’d lose her role as Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies
Her fear of being fired resulted in the actress always being the first person on set.
When many people think of Hollywood, they think of glitz and glam. Lavish lifestyles and celebrities are often associated with the word, but it’s important to remember that celebrities are humans with fears, just like everyone else.
Irene Ryan, the phenomenal actress who portrayed Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies, never steered away from sharing her feelings about being in the industry. It was like “show business heaven” for her, but Ryan also dealt with the fear of being fired. In an interview with the Star-Gazette in 1965, the actress briefly touched on the topic.
Being on The Beverly Hillbillies was like show business heaven for Irene Ryan
The interview began with Ryan explaining why she needed a big den in her “charming and chic” home. “I told the contractor that I wanted a big den because I’m only going to buy furniture I can put my feet on,” she said. “I’ve spent my life in hotels putting my feet on the furniture, and I’m not going to stop now.”
As Ryan chased after her dream life, living in hotels became the norm, that is, until she became a millionaire with the money she made on The Beverly Hillbillies. Yet, even with financial security, there was something that always worried her.
“I’m the first one on the set for every scene. All my life, I’ve been on time. I was always scared I would be fired,” Ryan added. “And you know something. I’m still scared.”
With her talents, she was the perfect fit for Granny, and no one else could’ve played the role better. Show producer Paul Henning assured her the part wouldn’t be the same without her, and he even bought her a “miniature gold rocking chair studded with diamonds” to thank her for her contributions to the show.
Although the producer credits Ryan for the success, she believed that he was the real reason for it, saying, “But Paul is the genius behind the show. After all these years, he’s still writing it, and believe me. We read it the way he writes it.”
Fans of the show loved Ryan as Granny, and her iconic role will forever make viewers laugh.