Shirley has led a fascinating life, and so many of her fans want to know more about her. Below are answers to some of the questions that Shirley gets asked the most. Please let us know if there is something else you would like to learn about Shirley, and we will update this part of the site regularly.


When was Shirley Born?
Shirley was born on April 23, 1928 at 9:00 in the evening. “Too late for dinner, and so I started life one meal behind. Ever since, I have tried to make up for that loss” Says Shirley.

Who were Shirley’s parents?
Shirley’s father, George Francis Temple was a businessman and a banker in Southern California. Her mother was Gertrude Amelia Krieger. Gertrude loved dancing and this love obviously helped shape Shirley. George and Gertrude were married in 1914 and had three children – Jack, George Jr., and Shirley Jane. They all lived in Santa Monica, California

How did Shirley get her start?
Shirley began dancing at Mrs. Meglin’s Dance Studio in Los Angeles when she was 3 years old. It was here that she was seen by two producers from Educational Films Corporation -- Jack Hays and Charles Lamont. The year was 1931, and they were making a series of one-reel short films called Baby Burlesks – parodies of famous films of the day but with all-child casts. Shirley was chosen as the star and was paid $10 a day. You can watch these films on a new DVD entitled “The Early Years” which is available for the first time restored and in color only on ShirleyTemple.com.

What was Shirley’s first Major Film?
Shirley acted in a number of films after the Baby Burlesks, each time getting strong reviews and praise from all who saw her. In late 1933, she was contacted by Fox Film Corporation and landed a role in their new film Stand up and Cheer, a Depression-era fantasy. It was a great success, and Shirley’s dancing and acting wowed everyone. This marked the beginning of her meteoric rise to become the biggest star in the world, and the creation of her many wonderful films.

How many movies did Shirley make?
In all Shirley starred in 14 Short films, 43 Feature Films and over 25 storybook movies in a career that spanned from 1931 until 1961.

What did Shirley do after leaving Show Business?
Shirley was married at age 17 to a handsome soldier named Jack Agar. They had a lovely daughter named Linda Susan. But Agar’s personal problems led them to divorce four years later. It was then that Shirley met her true soulmate -- Charles Black, a former Naval Officer. They were married in 1950 and had two children -- Charlie Jr., and Lori. Shirley went on to be the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana, the U.S. Chief of Protocol during Gerald Ford’s administration, a United States representative to the United Nations, and the U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia.

What is Shirley doing today?
Shirley Temple Black is a healthy 77 years young. She lives in Northern California. Shirley wrote the first volume of her Autobiography in 1988 entitled Child Star. She is currently working on finishing up Volume 2. Additionally, Shirley has just released The Shirley Temple Storybook Collection which contains many of her classic films from her personal film library – all for the first time on DVD. It’s only available from Shirley directly on this website. Enjoy!