Shirley temple biography

Most Americans know Shirley Temple as the adorable child actor with curly hair who graced movie screens from to After enjoying a successful career as an entertainer, Temple dedicated herself to public service, working as a politician and ambassador.

Shirley Temple was born on April 23, in Santa Monica, California. Her mother was a homemaker and her father worked at a bank. As a child, Temple showed interest in the arts. She loved dancing and singing. In , her mother decided to enroll her in dance school. After a casting director noticed her in class, she was offered a contract to appear in short films. In no time, Temple attracted the attention of a major movie studio.

Temple’s acting career started off rocky. She was the star in several unsuccessful short films. In , a talent agent recognized her dancing in a hotel lobby and he immediately signed her to Fox rulle Corporation. For the next few years, Temple turned out låda office hits. She was even honored with a miniature Oscar f

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Shirley Temple Black

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Entertainment & Public Service

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California Connection

• Los Angeles area native and lifelong California resident

Achievements

Biography current as of induction in

Shirley Temple Black was an actress, singer, dancer, businesswoman and public servant. As a child, she was Hollywood&#;s number one box-office draw. As an adult, she was a distinguished diplomat who served beneath four U.S. presidents. She remains an enduring icon whose golden ringlets and magnetic personality still charm audiences around the world. 

Temple began her film career at age three in Two years later, she appeared in “Bright Eyes,” a feature film written especially for her, achieving international fame and earning a special Juvenile Academy Award. Hits such as “The Little Colonel,” “Curly Top” and “Heidi” followed year after year during the s, while merchandise featuring her wholesome image found its way into homes across the nation. Temple

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Shirley Temple

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Who Was Shirley Temple?

Shirley Temple was a leading child film actress during the Great Depression, starring in works like Bright Eyes and Captain January. When her rendition of the song "On a Good Ship Lollipop" became famous in the s, she earned a special Academy Award. Temple took on some acting roles as an adult before entering politics, becoming a U.S. diplomat for the United Nations. She died on February 10, , at age 85, in California.

Early Life and Career

Temple was born to a banker and a housewife with two older children, on April 23, , in Santa Monica, California. When Temple was just 3 years old, she landed a contract with Educational Pictures, making her acting debut in a string of low-budget movies dubbed "Baby Burlesques." Temple's mother capitalized on the toddler's natural flair for dancing by enrolling her in dance classes at the age of 3 1/2. Her father became her agent and financial adviser.

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