Career Timeline of Shirley Temple: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Shirley Temple built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Shirley Temple Black was a prominent American figure known for her multifaceted career. Rising to fame as a child actress, she captivated audiences with her performances as Hollywood's top box-office star from 1934 to 1938. Beyond her entertainment career, Temple transitioned into diplomacy, serving as the United States Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia. Further demonstrating her commitment to public service, she held the position of Chief of Protocol of the United States, leaving a lasting impact in both entertainment and international relations.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1932: Contract with Educational Pictures

In 1932, Shirley Temple signed a contract with Educational Pictures after being spotted by casting director Charles Lamont.

1932: Small Role in 'The Red-Haired Alibi'

In 1932, Shirley Temple was lent to Tower Productions for a small role in the film 'The Red-Haired Alibi'.

December 7, 1933: Audition for Stand Up and Cheer!

On December 7, 1933, Shirley Temple auditioned for and won a part in the film 'Stand Up and Cheer!'

December 21, 1933: Contract Extension with Fox

On December 21, 1933, Shirley Temple's contract was extended to one year by Fox, and her mother was hired as her hairdresser and personal coach.

1933: Roles in 'Glad Rags to Riches', 'Kid 'in' Africa' and 'Runt Page'

In 1933, Shirley Temple appeared in 'Glad Rags to Riches', a parody of Mae West's 'She Done Him Wrong', as well as 'Kid 'in' Africa' and 'Runt Page'.

1933: Roles with Universal, Paramount and Warner Bros. Pictures

In 1933, Shirley Temple was lent to Universal, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Pictures for various parts, including an uncredited role in 'To the Last Man'.

May 1934: Release of Stand Up and Cheer!

In May 1934, 'Stand Up and Cheer!' was released and became Shirley Temple's breakthrough film.

July 1934: Increased Film Quota

In July 1934, Shirley Temple's contract was amended, increasing her film quota from three to four films per year.

July 18, 1934: Salary Increase and Image Control

On July 18, 1934, Shirley Temple's salary was raised to $1,000 per week, her mother's salary was raised, and steps were taken to regain control over the use of her image.

1934: Release of Bright Eyes

In 1934, 'Bright Eyes' was released, featuring Shirley Temple's signature song, 'On the Good Ship Lollipop'.

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1934: Breakthrough Performance in Stand Up and Cheer!

In 1934, Shirley Temple had a breakthrough performance in the film 'Stand Up and Cheer!', leading to a contract with Fox.

February 1935: Juvenile Academy Award

In February 1935, Shirley Temple won a special Juvenile Academy Award for her outstanding contribution as a juvenile performer in motion pictures during 1934.

March 14, 1935: Footprints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre

On March 14, 1935, Shirley Temple left her footprints and handprints in the wet cement at the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

1935: Salary Increase

By the end of 1935, Shirley Temple's salary was $2,500 per week.

1935: Appearance in 'The Little Colonel'

In 1935, Shirley Temple appeared in 'The Little Colonel' with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, performing the famous staircase dance.

1935: Awarded Miniature Juvenile Oscar

In 1935, Shirley Temple was awarded a miniature Juvenile Oscar.

1937: Release of 'Heidi'

In 1937, 'Heidi' was the only Temple film released. A dream sequence was added midway through shooting.

May 1938: Advertisement in The Hollywood Reporter

In May 1938, Shirley Temple was included in an advertisement in 'The Hollywood Reporter' as one of the actors who deserved their salaries.

1939: Grand Marshal of the Rose Parade

In 1939, Shirley Temple was the Grand Marshal of the New Year's Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

1940: Fitzgerald's Babylon Revisited Film Project

In 1940, Lester Cowan bought the rights to F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'Babylon Revisited' and wanted Shirley Temple to star, but the project was shelved.

1941: Release of 'Kathleen'

In 1941, Shirley Temple's film 'Kathleen' was released by MGM, but it was relatively unsuccessful.

March 4, 1942: Debut of Junior Miss Radio Series

On March 4, 1942, Shirley Temple's radio series 'Junior Miss' debuted on CBS, with her playing the title role.

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August 26, 1942: End of Junior Miss Radio Series

On August 26, 1942, Shirley Temple's radio series 'Junior Miss' ended its run on CBS.

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1942: Release of 'Miss Annie Rooney'

In 1942, Shirley Temple's film 'Miss Annie Rooney' was released for United Artists but was unsuccessful.

1947: Appearance in 'That Hagen Girl'

In 1947, Shirley Temple appeared in the film 'That Hagen Girl' with future U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

1950: Retirement from Full-Length Films

In 1950, Shirley Temple formally announced her retirement from full-length films.

1958: Shirley Temple's Storybook series

In 1958, Shirley Temple hosted, narrated, and occasionally acted in an anthology series of fairy tale adaptations called Shirley Temple's Storybook, aired as a series of specials on ABC.

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September 10, 1961: End of 'The Shirley Temple Show'

On September 10, 1961, 'The Shirley Temple Show' ended its broadcast on NBC.

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1967: Unsuccessful Congressional Run

In 1967, Shirley Temple ran unsuccessfully in a special election in California's 11th congressional district as a conservative Republican, coming in second behind Pete McCloskey.

1967: Failed Run for Congress

In 1967, after Shirley Temple's failed run for Congress, Henry Kissinger overheard her talking about South West Africa. He was surprised that she knew anything about it.

December 1969: Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly

In December 1969, Shirley Temple was appointed by President Richard Nixon as a delegate to the 24th United Nations General Assembly.

1969: Diplomatic Career at the United Nations

In 1969, Shirley Temple began her diplomatic career, representing the U.S. at a session of the United Nations General Assembly under Ambassador Charles Yost.

1972: Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

In 1972, at age 44, Shirley Temple was diagnosed with breast cancer, and her public disclosure of the diagnosis was a significant milestone in improving breast cancer awareness.

December 6, 1974: United States Ambassador to Ghana

On December 6, 1974, Shirley Temple was appointed by President Gerald R. Ford as the United States Ambassador to Ghana.

July 1, 1976: Chief of Protocol of the United States

On July 1, 1976, Shirley Temple was appointed as the first female Chief of Protocol of the United States.

July 13, 1976: End of Ambassadorship to Ghana

On July 13, 1976, Shirley Temple's tenure as the United States Ambassador to Ghana concluded.

1976: Considered as Potential Running Mate for Gerald Ford

In 1976, Shirley Temple was considered as a potential running mate for Gerald Ford in the presidential election, but Bob Dole was chosen instead.

January 21, 1977: End of term as Chief of Protocol

On January 21, 1977, Shirley Temple's term as the Chief of Protocol of the United States ended.

1980: Hopes for Appointment After Reagan's Victory

In 1980, after Ronald Reagan's victory in the presidential election, Shirley Temple had hoped for a cabinet position or ambassadorship, but she was not given any new posting during the Reagan administration.

1984: President of the Commonwealth Club of California

In 1984, Shirley Temple served as president of the Commonwealth Club of California, a public-affairs forum.

1988: Publication of Autobiography

In 1988, Shirley Temple published her autobiography, Child Star.

Child Star by Shirley Temple Black (1989-10-01)

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August 23, 1989: United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia

On August 23, 1989, Shirley Temple was appointed by President George H. W. Bush as the United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, becoming the first and only woman in this role.