Wonderful Actress But Why the Late Start?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Fran Ryan
HarlowMGM — 19 years ago(May 19, 2006 07:13 PM)
Fran Ryan was a wonderful character actress, I always enjoyed seeing her in films and television. I was surprised to see on IMDB she apparently didn't start working in Hollywood until she was 50! Anyone know why? Did she suddenly become an actress in her middle years or was she on the stage before that?
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jbredding — 19 years ago(September 26, 2006 04:19 AM)
So happy to find this site and board. I grew up with Chris, Fran's son. We lived in Evanston, Il. She did commercials in Chicago in the 60's and when EVERYTHING moved out to Calif. she and Chris had to go in order for her to earn $. Her first husband was killed in a plane crash and I recall that a second husband was alsobut that seems unlikely and I'll check on that. She was my Mom's dearest friend. If anyone is interested, I could continue her story.
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yogo1 — 18 years ago(September 22, 2007 11:07 PM)
I'm glad to see notes about the most beloved Fran. My family and I knew her from when she lived in Grants Pass, Oregon, and5b4 later when she became an actress in So. California. Her husband was Howard Shafer. He was killed in the crash of a small plane. The plane was not found until recent years. It crashed somewhere between Grants Pass and the coast (Gold Beach, I believe). That is why Fran came to Grants Pass. That was probably in late 1952 or early 1953. She had a son, Christopher Ryan, who my grandmother took care ofthat's how my mother and I met her. She worked at the radio station KUIN as an announcer during that time. My mother can't remember exactly how long she was in Grants Pass, but it was at least a year and maybe even a year and a half. My mother has no idea where Christopher is now. She thinks several years before Fran died that he was in the movie or television industry in some capacitynot an actor though. My mother also recalls Fran working for a little while at a television station in Medford, Oregon in the 1952-53 time period. I have some pictures of Chris from the Grants Pass time period, and also of Fran later on. She was an incredible lady, full of personality, caring, and humble. Perhaps a little known fact is Fran was in a supporting role in the stage version of "The Impossible Years" with Ozzie and Harriet at the theater next to Disneyland, I believe in 1967 or 1968. I would be interested in communicating with Chris if someone knows him. Communications with others who knew Fran or Chris are most welcomed.
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sweiland75 — 17 years ago(September 18, 2008 02:22 AM)
I would like to know the answer, too.
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RobBase086-1 — 17 years ago(October 01, 2008 05:20 AM)
She was a great actress and I always remembered here always playing some sort of cranky woman for some reasons on shows that I do not know why though.
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