15 Facts about Shirley Temple - Our Favorite Child Star

When Shirley Temple died at age 85, she left a huge hole in the lives of fans everywhere. As a dimpled, child star, Shirley Temple brought joy to millions of Americans during the Depression.

Actress, Shirley Temple was a Hollywood heavyweight while still a child. She was one of the country’s top box office performers from 1935-1938.

Her performances beat Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, and Joan Crawford. In 1999, Temple was ranked number 18 among the American Film Institute's top 25 actresses. Here are 15 facts about the legendary actress.

1. Her Big Break

According to The New York Times, Temple was discovered at the age of four. She was scouted by an agent in 1932 and cast in “Baby Burlesques.” In the show, Temple imitated adult actresses like Marlene Dietrich, Mae West, and Dolores Rio.

2. Getting ready for her close-up

A People magazine article revealed that every night her mother would put her hair into 56 perfect pin curls. Temple would go over the next day’s script instead of a bedtime story and her mother Gertrude would read the lines while she repeated them until she fell asleep.

3. Her Mum Was Not Pushy

Over the years, rumors claimed that Temple was forced into stardom by her momager. However, she adamantly denies this, saying:

“She was quite shy, but she always believed that if a door opens for you, go through it. She did not push me into anything. I loved what I did. I remember cruel mothers who would pinch their children to make them cry in a scene, but my mother encircled me with affection.”

4. Her 9th Birthday

Temple’s ninth birthday was a massive affair. The studio needed her to be younger so they advertised it as her eighth birthday. Fans from around the world sent her more than 135,000 presents including a baby kangaroo from Australia and a prize Jersey calf from Oregon.

5. Santa Wanted Her Autograph

At the age of six, Temple stopped believing in Santa Claus. Her fame led to her decision with Temple saying:

“Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph."

6. Nearly Assassinated

Shirley Temple was nearly assassinated by a woman in 1939. The woman believed that the 10-year-old had captured her daughter’s soul and thought that if she shot Temple she would release her daughter.

Temple said a woman “pulled out a rather big gun and started to point it” at her while she was singing at a radio appearance. The police apprehended the woman and removed her from the studio.

7. Shutting Down a Rumor

During the height of Temple's fame, there was a rumor in Europe that Temple was not really a child. They claimed she was “an adult dwarf in disguise.” However, the rumor was shut down by the Vatican's Father Silvio Massante to verify that Temple was a child.

8. A Fan Favorite

When casting the role of Dorothy Gale in 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz,” the ideal choice had been Judy Garland. However, Temple landed the role due to a winning the popular vote from fans of the original 1900 book.

“Judy Garland was not the popular choice among book fans,” said historian and collector Jay Scarfone, who co-authored “The Road to Oz." [Judy] was 15 years old, which was considered too old for the role. She was vivacious and over the top. The Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ has a very different personality from what is seen in the film. But there was never a serious contender except for Judy Garland.”

9. Enduring sexual harassment

In her memoir “Child Star,” Temple made some disturbing claims about an MGM producer who was known for having “adventuresome casting couch." She claimed he exposed himself to her when she was just 12.

10. Telling all about a kiss

In 1988, Temple shocked fans when she opened up and revealed that Ronald Reagan was really a good kisser.

“He was one of the best kissers,” she declared.

11. Puberty Cost Her Dearly

When Temple went through puberty her offers for work in Hollywood diminished. 17-year-old Shirley got engaged to 24-year-old John Agar ad left the industry shortly after.

12. Love Life

Temple's love life has been a rollercoaster. She was married to California businessman Charles Alden Black from 1950 until he passed away in 2005 at age 86. However, before that, she was married to Agar. Unfortunately, their union was short-lived. Shirley hinted that infidelity played a big part in the collapse of their marriage but they parted amicably.

“I was 17,” recalled Temple to Larry King. “I was way too young. He was 24. But they didn’t talk about alcohol then. It was something you hid… So we didn’t talk about it.”

13. Nearly Bankrupt

Despite being a superstar, Temple's childhood was tough. Amongst the most shocking moments was when Temple's father mismanaged her finances and the star nearly lost everything. She, however, forgave him.

“It was fine until I was 22 and I asked my dad and his business partner,” Temple recalled to Larry King. “I said, ‘You know, I was 21 and I didn’t get the money. I’m 22, where’s the money?’… It was a two and a half hour meeting in our house and finally, I said, ‘Give me the bottom line. What do I have?’ Well, they said out of $3,400,000 or so that I earned, I had $44,000 in my trust fund. That was it. And that was a shock.”

14. She Did Not Like the Shirley Temple

Even though the drink was created to honor her, Temple was not a fan of the mocktail.

15. Her Greatest Role

From all the roles she played in her life, Temple’s favorite was being a hands-on mother to her three children.i

“Being a wife and mom is the greatest of her achievements,” said her daughter Susan Black in 2018. “We were shopping and travel buddings. We went to many places together. She was one of my very best friends.”