What's After the Movie
Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple Black, born Shirley Jane Temple on April 23, 1928 in Santa Monica, California, rose from a modest family of Dutch, English, and German ancestry to become the most beloved child star of the Great Depression. Discovered at age three while dancing behind a piano, she signed with Educational Pictures in 1932 and quickly captivated audiences with her signature curls, dimpled smile, and sparkling eyes, starring in shorts such as Kid 'in' Africa before breaking through with Fox’s Stand Up and Cheer! (1934). Her enchanting performances in Bright Eyes, The Little Colonel, and Curly Top made her a national phenomenon, earning a special Juvenile Academy Award in 1935 and an unparalleled box‑office draw that lifted spirits across the country. By the late 1930s she commanded a weekly salary of $2,500 and became a cultural icon whose merchandising empire rivaled that of Mickey Mouse, influencing fashion, toys, and even inspiring a Salvador Dali portrait.
After retiring from film in 1950, Temple reinvented herself as a public servant, first serving as a delegate to the United Nations in 1969 before being appointed U.S. Ambassador to Ghana (1974‑1976) and later the first female Chief of Protocol (1976‑1977). She capped her diplomatic career as Ambassador to Czechoslovakia (1989‑1992), witnessing the Velvet Revolution and accompanying President Václav Havel on his historic U.S. visit. A recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors and a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, she left an indelible legacy as a child star, a trailblazing diplomat, and a symbol of resilience and grace.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Shirley Temple, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Shirley Temple rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Shirley Jane Temple
Born: Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Citizenship: United States
Birthday: April 23, 1928
Occupations: actress, singer, dancer, diplomat, politician
Years Active: 1932-1965, 1967-1992
Children: 3
Spouses: John Agar, Charles Alden Black
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Shirley Temple
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer
Little Miss Marker
Judy Garland: By Myself
Hollywood’s Children
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
That’s Dancing!
Going Hollywood: The ’30s
Showbiz Kids
Hollywood Uncensored
Dream Girl: The Making of Marilyn Monroe
Dora’s Dunking Doughnuts
That Hagen Girl
The Our Gang Story
I’ll Be Seeing You
Now I’ll Tell
Bright Eyes
Kathleen
Adventure in Baltimore
Honeymoon
As the Earth Turns
What’s to Do?
War Babies
Young People
Kid in Hollywood
Red Haired Alibi
Since You Went Away
Shirley Temple’s Storybook: Land of Oz
Susannah of the Mounties
The Pie-Covered Wagon
Heidi
Wee Willie Winkie
Pardon My Pups
The Story of Seabiscuit
Ali Baba Goes to Town
Poor Little Rich Girl
Baby Take a Bow
Just Around the Corner
Captain January
Little Miss Broadway
Managed Money
A Kiss for Corliss
Now and Forever
Change of Heart
Glad Rags to Riches
Dimples
Film Stars Help Greece
Shirley Temple: America’s Little Darling
Runt Page
Merrily Yours
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
The Kid’s Last Fight
Stand Up and Cheer!
Fort Apache
Kid ‘in’ Africa
Stowaway
Our Little Girl
Carolina
Kiss and Tell
Polly Tix in Washington
The Blue Bird
The Little Princess
Frank Capra’s American Dream
The Little Colonel
Miss Annie Rooney
To the Last Man
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
The Littlest Rebel
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Shirley Temple, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1949
Adventure in Baltimore
Dinah Sheldon
The Story of Seabiscuit
Margaret O'Hara / Knowles
A Kiss for Corliss
Corliss Archer
1940
Young People
Wendy Ballantine
The Blue Bird
Mytyl
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
Self (archive footage)
1938
Just Around the Corner
Penny Hale
Little Miss Broadway
Betsy Brown Shea
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
Rebecca Winstead
1936
Poor Little Rich Girl
Barbara Barry
Captain January
Helen 'Star' Mason
Dimples
Dimples Appleby
Stowaway
Barbara 'Ching-Ching' Stewart
1935
Our Little Girl
Molly Middleton
The Little Colonel
Lloyd Sherman
The Littlest Rebel
Virginia 'Virgie' Cary
1934
Little Miss Marker
Now I’ll Tell
Mary Doran
Bright Eyes
Shirley Blake
As the Earth Turns
Child
Pardon My Pups
Mary Lou Rogers
Baby Take a Bow
Shirley Ellison
Managed Money
Mary Lou Rogers
Now and Forever
Penelope 'Pennie' Day
Change of Heart
Shirley
Stand Up and Cheer!
Shirley Dugan
Carolina
Joan Connelly (uncredited)
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