Profile of the Day: Shirley Temple

Posted April 23, 2021 by Amanda | One Comment

Today we remember beloved child star Shirley Temple on what would have been her 93rd birthday.

Image: Eleanor Roosevelt and Shirley Temple / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Shirley Temple was born on April 23, 1928 in Santa Monica, California. She began her film career at the age of 3 with a role in Baby Burlesks, a series of short films satirizing recent film and political events, using pre-school children in every role.

In 1934, she found international fame as the star of Bright Eyes. The film introduced her signature song “On the Good Ship Lollipop” and earned her a miniature Juvenile Oscar. An incredible talent, Temple starred in a series of successful films throughout the 1930s. Her uplifting movies were a welcome respite for those suffering the effects of the Great Depression. The films offered the public optimism and hope, and even President Franklin D. Roosevelt called her “Little Miss Miracle” for her power to lift moral. Fun fact: Shirley Temple and President Roosevelt were 6th cousins once removed! She was also related to Eleanor Roosevelt. They were 7th cousins twice removed!

After retiring from acting in her twenties, Temple went on to serve as the United States ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia. She died on February 10, 2014 at the age of 85.

Do you have a favorite Shirley Temple movie?

Explore Shirley Temple’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re connected to the star!