Shirley Temple Black was a multifaceted American icon. Primarily known for her unparalleled success as a child star in Hollywood during the 1930s, she was the top box-office draw for four consecutive years. Later in life, she transitioned from entertainment to a prominent role in public service, serving as the United States Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia. Her contributions extended to serving as the Chief of Protocol of the United States, showcasing her diplomatic skills and international influence.
April 23, 1928: Birth of Shirley Temple
Shirley Jane Temple was born on April 23, 1928.
1931: Film Debut
At the age of three, Shirley Temple began her film career in 1931.
1932: Discovery and Contract Signing
Charles Lamont discovered Shirley Temple and signed her to a contract with Educational Pictures in 1932.
1932: First Feature Film Role
Shirley Temple landed a small role in her first feature film, "The Red-Haired Alibi," in 1932.
December 7, 1933: Screen Test and Contract with Fox
On December 7, 1933, Shirley Temple auditioned for and secured a role in the film "Stand Up and Cheer!", signing a contract with Fox.
December 21, 1933: Contract Extension and Mother's Employment
On December 21, 1933, Shirley Temple's contract was extended, and her mother was hired as her hairdresser and coach.
1933: Early Film Appearances
Shirley Temple appeared in films like "Glad Rags to Riches" and "Kid 'in' Africa" in 1933.
1933: Roles in Universal, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Pictures
Shirley Temple had roles in several films produced by Universal, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Pictures in 1933, including an uncredited part in "To the Last Man".
May 1934: Release of "Stand Up and Cheer!"
"Stand Up and Cheer!," featuring Shirley Temple's breakthrough performance, was released in May 1934.
July 1934: Increased Film Quota and Notable Releases
Shirley Temple's film quota increased to four films per year in July 1934, leading to releases like "Now and Forever," "The Little Colonel," and "Curly Top."
July 18, 1934: Salary Increase and Image Rights
Shirley Temple's salary was significantly increased, and her parents hired a lawyer to regain control over the use of her image on July 18, 1934.
1934: Release of "Bright Eyes" and Signature Song
"Bright Eyes," a film showcasing Shirley Temple's acting style and featuring her signature song "On the Good Ship Lollipop," was released in 1934.
1934: Rise to Fame
Shirley Temple became a highly popular child actress, leading the box office from 1934.
1934: Breakthrough Performance in "Bright Eyes"
Shirley Temple's performance in the 1934 film "Bright Eyes" propelled her to fame.
1934: Breakthrough Performance in "Stand Up and Cheer!"
Shirley Temple's performance in the 1934 film "Stand Up and Cheer!" marked her breakthrough in the film industry.
February 1935: Juvenile Academy Award
In February 1935, Shirley Temple received a special Juvenile Academy Award for her outstanding contributions to film as a child actress in 1934.
March 14, 1935: Footprints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre
On March 14, 1935, a testament to her rising fame, Shirley Temple's footprints and handprints were immortalized in the wet cement at the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
1935: Salary Increase and Elaborate Sets
Shirley Temple's salary reached $2,500 per week by the end of 1935, and elaborate film sets were being created for her productions.
1935: Collaboration with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
Shirley Temple began her collaborations with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson in 1935, notably with their famous staircase dance in "The Little Colonel".
1935: Juvenile Oscar Award
Shirley Temple received a miniature Juvenile Oscar in 1935.
1937: Release of "Heidi" and Dream Sequence Dispute
"Heidi" was released in 1937, with a dream sequence added to the script, which Shirley Temple allegedly desired but later denied in her autobiography.
1937: Cultural Impact and Reference in "Stand-In"
The 1937 film "Stand-In" references Shirley Temple, highlighting her impact on popular culture, with a character describing herself as "the Shirley Temple of my day" and performing "On the Good Ship Lollipop".
May 1938: Independent Theatre Owners Association Advertisement
In May 1938, the Independent Theatre Owners Association took out an advertisement in The Hollywood Reporter that listed Shirley Temple among actors deemed deserving of their salaries. Notably, the advertisement contrasted these actors with others like Katharine Hepburn and Joan Crawford, whose "box-office draw is nil".
1938: Decline in Popularity
Shirley Temple's popularity as a child actress began to decline after 1938.
September 1939: Enrollment at Westlake School for Girls
In September 1939, Shirley Temple enrolled as a seventh grader at the Westlake School for Girls. This marked a transition for Temple, shifting from a life primarily spent with adults and private tutors to a more traditional school setting.
1939: Subject of Salvador Dalí Painting and Appearance in "The Autograph Hound"
In 1939, Salvador Dalí created a painting inspired by Shirley Temple titled "Shirley Temple, The Youngest, Most Sacred Monster of the Cinema in Her Time". That same year, she appeared in an animated short film alongside Donald Duck called "The Autograph Hound".
1939: Grand Marshal of the New Year's Day Rose Parade
Shirley Temple was the Grand Marshal of the New Year's Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California in 1939, marking the beginning of her repeated appearances in this event.
1940: Consideration for "Cosmopolitan" Film Adaptation
In 1940, F. Scott Fitzgerald, while working on a screenplay adaptation of his short story "Babylon Revisited", initially opposed Shirley Temple's potential casting as Honoria. Fitzgerald found the 12-year-old actress too mature for the role's intended innocence. However, after meeting Temple, his perspective shifted, and he attempted, unsuccessfully, to persuade her mother to let her take the part. Ultimately, the project, titled "Cosmopolitan", was shelved.
1941: Release of "Kathleen" and Departure from MGM
In 1941, "Kathleen", Shirley Temple's sole film with MGM, was released to relative failure. This followed an incident where producer Arthur Freed acted inappropriately towards her, leading to the termination of her contract before any other films were produced.
March 4, 1942: Debut of "Junior Miss" Radio Series
On March 4, 1942, "Junior Miss", a radio series starring Shirley Temple, premiered on CBS. In the series, based on stories by Sally Benson, Temple played the titular character.
August 26, 1942: Conclusion of "Junior Miss" Radio Series
The "Junior Miss" radio series, starring Shirley Temple, concluded its run on August 26, 1942.
1942: Release of "Miss Annie Rooney"
In 1942, Shirley Temple starred in "Miss Annie Rooney", released by United Artists. The film, unfortunately, did not perform well commercially.
1943: Meeting John Agar
At the age of 15, Shirley Temple crossed paths with John Agar, who was 22 years old at the time.
May 1945: Graduation from Westlake School for Girls
Shirley Temple graduated from the Westlake School for Girls in May 1945, marking the culmination of her secondary education.
1945: Marriage to John Agar
At the age of 17, Shirley Temple married John Agar.
1947: Appearance in "That Hagen Girl" with Ronald Reagan
Shirley Temple co-starred with future U.S. president Ronald Reagan in the 1947 film "That Hagen Girl".
1948: Birth of Daughter, Linda Susan Agar
Shirley Temple gave birth to her daughter, Linda Susan Agar, in 1948.
1949: Final Film Appearance
Shirley Temple's final film appearance was in the 1949 movie "A Kiss for Corliss".
1950: Divorce from John Agar
Shirley Temple filed for divorce from John Agar in 1950, citing mental cruelty as the grounds for their separation.
1950: Formal Retirement from Feature Films
In 1950, Shirley Temple made the decision to formally announce her retirement from acting in full-length films, marking a significant turning point in her career.
1950: Marriage to Charles Alden Black
In 1950, Shirley Temple married Charles Alden Black.
1958: Premiere of "Shirley Temple's Storybook"
Shirley Temple transitioned to television in 1958 as the host, narrator, and occasional actress for "Shirley Temple's Storybook". The show, an anthology series featuring adaptations of fairy tales, aired as a series of specials on ABC.
1959: Regular Airing of "Shirley Temple's Storybook"
"Shirley Temple's Storybook" secured a regular time slot in 1959, airing every third Monday night on ABC, alternating with "Cheyenne".
February 8, 1960: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Shirley Temple was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 8, 1960, solidifying her place as an icon in the entertainment industry.
1960: Move of "Shirley Temple's Storybook" to NBC
In 1960, "Shirley Temple's Storybook" moved to NBC, rebranded as "The Shirley Temple Show".
September 10, 1961: Conclusion of "The Shirley Temple Show"
"The Shirley Temple Show", an anthology series hosted by Shirley Temple, concluded on September 10, 1961.
1967: Entry into Foreign Service
After her unsuccessful congressional run in 1967, Shirley Temple embarked on a career in foreign service. This path was sparked by a conversation about South West Africa overheard by Henry Kissinger, who was impressed by her knowledge.
1967: Unsuccessful Run for Congress
Shirley Temple, running as a conservative Republican, entered politics in 1967, campaigning for California's 11th congressional district in a special election. Despite receiving a significant number of votes, she ultimately lost the election.
August 1968: Witnessing the Warsaw Pact Invasion of Czechoslovakia
In August 1968, while in Prague as a representative of the International Federation of Multiple Sclerosis Societies, Shirley Temple found herself caught in the midst of the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia. She was scheduled to meet with Czechoslovakian party leader Alexander Dubček on the day Soviet-backed forces entered the country. Seeking refuge on a hotel roof as tanks rolled through the streets, she witnessed the tragic shooting of an unarmed woman by Soviet forces, a memory that profoundly impacted her.
December 1969: Delegate to the 24th United Nations General Assembly
In December 1969, Shirley Temple served as a delegate to the 24th United Nations General Assembly, representing the United States.
1969: Entry into Diplomacy
Shirley Temple's diplomatic career started in 1969 when she represented the United States at the United Nations General Assembly.
1970: Golden Plate Award Recipient
In 1970, Shirley Temple's achievements were acknowledged with the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
1972: Shirley Temple Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
In 1972, at the height of her influence, Shirley Temple was diagnosed with breast cancer. This event was significant because it brought a taboo subject into public consciousness, helping to reduce stigma around the disease.
December 6, 1974: Appointment as United States Ambassador to Ghana
President Gerald R. Ford appointed Shirley Temple as the United States Ambassador to Ghana on December 6, 1974.
1975: Honorary Deputy Paramount Chief
In a unique honor reflecting her global impact, Shirley Temple was installed as an honorary deputy paramount chief of the Oguaa people of Ghana in 1975.
July 1, 1976: Appointment as Chief of Protocol of the United States
On July 1, 1976, Shirley Temple assumed the role of Chief of Protocol of the United States, becoming the first woman to hold the position.
July 13, 1976: End of Term as United States Ambassador to Ghana
Shirley Temple concluded her service as the United States Ambassador to Ghana on July 13, 1976.
January 21, 1977: End of Term as Chief of Protocol of the United States
Shirley Temple completed her term as the Chief of Protocol of the United States on January 21, 1977.
February 1980: Honored by the Freedoms Foundation
In February 1980, Shirley Temple received recognition for her contributions beyond the screen when she was honored by the Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
1984: President of the Commonwealth Club of California
Throughout her life, Shirley Temple was actively involved with the Commonwealth Club of California, a public affairs forum. Her engagement included speaking at numerous meetings, and in 1984, she served as the organization's president.
1988: Lawsuit over Bottled Soda
Despite lending her name to the non-alcoholic drink, Shirley Temple was known to dislike the overly sweet beverage. In 1988, she took legal action to prevent a bottled soda company from using her name, demonstrating her control over her image and legacy.
1988: Publication of Autobiography
Shirley Temple published her autobiography, "Child Star," in 1988.
August 23, 1989: Appointment as United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia
Shirley Temple was appointed by President George H. W. Bush as the United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia on August 23, 1989, becoming the first and only woman to serve in this position.
1989: Grand Marshal of the New Year's Day Rose Parade
Returning to the role after fifty years, Shirley Temple was again the Grand Marshal of the New Year's Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, in 1989.
1989: Ambassadorship to Czechoslovakia
Shirley Temple served as the United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia from 1989 to 1992.
July 12, 1992: End of Term as United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia
Shirley Temple finished her service as the United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia on July 12, 1992.
1992: End of Ambassadorship
Shirley Temple's term as the U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia ended in 1992.
1998: Kennedy Center Honor Recipient
In 1998, Shirley Temple received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor, recognizing her significant lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.
1999: Hosting of AFI's "100 Years...100 Stars" Awards Show
In 1999, Shirley Temple took the stage as the host for the American Film Institute's (AFI) "100 Years...100 Stars" awards show, broadcast on CBS.
1999: Grand Marshal of the New Year's Day Rose Parade
Shirley Temple served as the Grand Marshal of the New Year's Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California for the third time in 1999, a testament to her enduring popularity.
2001: Consultant on "Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story"
Shirley Temple contributed to the 2001 ABC-TV production of "Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story", a film adaptation of her autobiography, serving as a consultant on the project.
August 4, 2005: Death of Charles Alden Black
Shirley Temple's husband, Charles Alden Black, passed away on August 4, 2005.
February 10, 2014: Death of Shirley Temple Black
Shirley Temple Black passed away on February 10, 2014.
March 3, 2014: Death Certificate Release
On March 3, 2014, Shirley Temple's death certificate was released, revealing that the cause of death was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
June 9, 2021: Google Doodle Honors Shirley Temple
On June 9, 2021, Google celebrated Shirley Temple's legacy with a commemorative Google Doodle. This tribute coincided with the opening anniversary of "Love, Shirley Temple," a special exhibit at the Santa Monica History Museum showcasing a collection of her rare memorabilia.
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