Came from a musical family. Her parents were singers. Irene sang, as well, and both she and a sister played piano. Her two brothers played the violin and another sister the cello and a clarinet.
Her first husband, Het Mannheim, was the Head of Publicity at Republic Studios in 1937 where she filmed her first picture with Gene Autry. He changed her stage name from Hope Manning to Irene Manning. They later married but their long distance relationship ended soon in divorce.
Penned a column while living in London entitled "Girl About Town".
Recorded four songs in German, including "Begin the Beguine" and "All the Things You Are" for Glenn Miller's Orchestra just before he died in a plane crash in 1944 while crossing the English channel.
She jokingly lamented that during filming of The Big Shot (1942) she never got to share romantic moments but not a filmed kiss with her co-star Humphrey Bogart, but that she had to take a bullet for him anyway during the final reel.
Toured with Bob Hope during WWII.
Toured with her own four-woman USO unit, performing for the Air Force and various hospital throughout England.