You know you’re famous when just saying your name brings to mind a classic haircut, the world’s most famous mocktail, and (most crucially) an unstoppable kid star. Shirley Temple’s mother started curling her hair and bringing her to singing and dance lessons when she was just three. It didn’t take long for her to become Hollywood’s biggest box office draw—how’s that for a leap?—all in cute black and white. No one had ever seen a pint-sized performer so calm, confident, and cute.
Before little Miss Shirley could legally drive, she had already won a (child-sized) Oscar, met Walt Disney, and had her picture put on lunchboxes, dolls, and clothes. Temple sat on many business boards and had a long and successful career as a diplomat when she left the public eye in her 40s. Look back on Temple’s amazing life because of her talent, creativity, and hard work. Also, let’s be honest: she’s simply really, really cute.
1932
Shirley Temple shown in a promotional image for her first acting role in a series of ten-minute shorts called Baby Burlesks.
Shirley Temple shown in a promotional image for her first acting role in a series of ten-minute shorts called Baby Burlesks.
1932
Temple shown acting alongside other children in Charles Lamont’s The Kid in Hollywood, another in the series of Baby Burlesks.
1933
Shirley Temple holding onto a broadcast microphone.
1934
James Dunn and Temple rehearse together for Baby Take a Bow, their fourth film together.
1934
Shirley Temple with her parents as they sign an adjusted, more lucrative contract with Fox Film Corporation.
1934
A portrait of Temple,shir who had recently turned six years old.
1934
Temple posing in a polka dot dress.
1934
James Dunn and Shirley Temple on screen together in Bright Eyes.
1935
Temple posing with a glass of milk.
1935
Shirley Temple with co-star Rochelle Hudson in the movie Curly Top.
1935
Temple’s handprints in the rotunda of Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
1935
Screenwriter Irwin S. Cobb presenting Temple with a special Oscar at the Academy Awards ceremony.
1936
Shirley Temple performing with Bill “Mr. Bojangles” Robinson on the set of The Little Colonel.
1937
Shirley Temple in a scene from Heidi alongside Jean Hersholt as her grandfather.
1937
A still shot from the movie Wee Willie Winkie with Temple sharing the screen with Douglas Scott.
1938
Walt Disney being presented an Oscar by Shirley Temple for his famous animated feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
1939
Temple as Sarah Crewe in The Little Princess.
1943
Debuting in 1942, Shirley Temple had her own radio series on CBS named “Junior Miss.”
1945
17-year-old Temple on her wedding day. Her husband John Agar Jr. was an aviation engineer in the army.
1946
During a dress rehearsal for the CBS Radio program “Theater of Romance,” Shirley Temple consults producer Charles Vanda.
1948
Shirley Temple and husband John Agar pose with their infant daughter Linda Susan.
1949
Temple’s first husband John Agar and Shirley spend time with their daughter Susan.
1957
Shirley Temple posing with her second husband Charles A. Black and three children Linda Susan, Charles, and Lori.
1958
Shirley Temple posing in a promotional photo for “Shirley Temple’s Storybook” a children’s anthology series that she hosted and narrated.
1967
Shirley Temple Black receives an “Optimist button” from Dr. Kenneth C. Stergion, after appearing at an Optimist Club luncheon. Temple was a Republican candidate in a special election for the 11th congressional district in CA.
1968
At the annual Republican Women’s Conference, Shirley Temple Black explains why she is not running again following her previous defeat.
1969
Congressman Irving Whalley sitting with Shirley Temple Black, both US delegates to the U.N.
1976
After taking the oath of office as Chief of Protocol for the State Department, Shirley Temple poses for photos with President Ford.
2006
Shirley Temple Black waves to the audience at the 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards where she was presented the Life Achievement Award.
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