A Star with a Taste for the Track
To millions, Irene Ryan was “Granny” — the feisty, no-nonsense matriarch on The Beverly Hillbillies. But away from the cameras, she had a quieter, more measured indulgence: horse racing. Long before sports betting became the billion-dollar industry it is today, Ryan could often be found at the Hollywood Park racetrack, mingling with locals who knew her by name, not by her television fame.
An August 1970 article in The Ogden Standard-Examiner painted a charming picture of the actress among the regulars, enjoying the atmosphere of the races with a smile and a modest ticket in hand.
A Careful Gambler
Despite her fondness for the racetrack, Ryan wasn’t the kind of bettor who chased wild odds. She was methodical — and cautious. “I have trouble enough trying to pick one horse,” she joked, explaining why she steered clear of the track’s riskier “daily double” bets.
In fact, she rarely placed wagers of more than five dollars. Her choices weren’t guided by complicated systems or insider tips, but by loyalty. “I have a lot of old friends,” she said fondly, referring to the horses she’d rooted for in the past.
Pleasure Without Excess
Ryan’s relationship with the racetrack was as disciplined as it was genuine. She enjoyed the excitement of the sport — the sound of hooves, the shared suspense of the crowd — but never let it become a vice. “I’m not hooked on ponies,” she insisted, making clear that her afternoons at Hollywood Park were about relaxation, not addiction.
While others might have been drawn in by the lure of big payouts, Ryan was content with the simple joy of watching the races unfold.
Granny at the Races
It’s easy to imagine her there: sunglasses on, program in hand, quietly cheering for her “old friends.” For a performer who spent decades in the demanding world of television and theater, those afternoons at the track weren’t about risk — they were about balance.
In a time when fame often came with excess, Irene Ryan’s gentle approach to gambling stood out. She may have loved to bet the ponies, but she never lost sight of what really mattered: enjoying life, one race at a time.
