Irene Ryan's Age at Death and Biographical Timeline
Irene Ryan died at the age of 80. She was born on October 16, 1902, in Denver, Colorado, and passed away on April 17, 1973, in Los Angeles, California. Her death followed a battle with cancer, and she was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills. The exact age at death is consistently reported as 80 years old by reliable biographical sources Irene Ryan Biography.
The actress, best known for her role as Daisy May on "The Beverly Hillbillies," had a career spanning several decades in film and television. Her net worth at the time of her death was modest compared to modern entertainment figures, reflecting the era's compensation structures. Financial records from her estate were handled according to standard probate procedures of the early 1970s.
Financial Context and Career Earnings
Irene Ryan's primary income came from acting roles in film and television, with her most famous work being the long-running CBS sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies," which aired from 1962 to 1971. The show's production company was Filmways, Inc., which was later acquired by other media entities. Her per-episode salary during the show's peak reflected the standard rates for supporting television actors of that period, not the massive residuals seen in later decades.
Unlike modern stars with complex investment portfolios, Ryan's financial legacy was largely defined by her contract work and union membership. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) governed compensation and residuals during her active years. Her estate planning followed the legal frameworks of the time, without the complex trusts or digital asset structures common today SAG-AFTRA Historical Resources.
Legacy and Estate Distribution
After Irene Ryan's death, her estate was distributed according to her will and California probate law. The primary beneficiaries included her husband, Harold E. Knox, and other family members. The value of the estate was not publicly disclosed in detail, but it was managed through standard legal channels without the high-profile disputes sometimes seen in celebrity estates.
Her contributions to television history are preserved through archives and syndication. "The Beverly Hillbillies" remains a culturally significant series, and her performance is studied in media history courses. The financial impact of her work is measured in the show's continued syndication value and its influence on the television industry, rather than in personal wealth accumulation Irene Ryan on IMDb.