Though an established veteran of stage, screen, and radio, the true splendor and glory of Irene Ryan was not completely revealed to humankind until the force of nature known as "Granny" was unleashed. With this one role, Miss Ryan embodied the "crone" archetype for all of eternity. Can you think of any other character so demented, so utterly insane, and yet so loving and compassionate as Granny Daisy Moses, matriarchal spirit of the Clampett clan? And could anyone else have portrayed this regal country queen, the pride of Bugtussle, other than Irene Ryan? Even the esteemed Cloris Leachman, in "The Beverly Hillbillies Movie", could only do a pale imitation of Irene's greatness...But her greatness doesn't end there! Though she died in 1973, at the age of 71, her generosity of spirit lives on through the Irene Ryan Scholarship for Outstanding Theatrical Performance. Many a future ForgottenDiva has been helped by this wise and far-seeing soul. So let us exclaim in unison:
IRENE RYAN IS A DIVA NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN!!!
visit her grave...
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