Shirley Temple, iconic child star, dies

Shirley Temple, the curly-haired child star who put smiles on the faces of Depression-era moviegoers, has died surrounded by family. She was 85.

8-year-old U.S. American child movie star Shirley Temple.

Shirley Temple, the child star who put smiles on the faces of Depression-era moviegoers, has died. (AAP)

Shirley Temple, the curly-haired US child star who put smiles on the faces of Depression-era moviegoers, has died. She was 85.

Publicist Cheryl Kagan says Temple, known in private life as Shirley Temple Black, died surrounded by family at her home near San Francisco.

A talented singer, dancer and actress, Shirley Temple was America's top box-office draw from 1935 - the year she turned 7 - until 1938.

She was credited with helping save 20th Century Fox from bankruptcy with films such as Curly Top and The Littlest Rebel.

She retired from films at 21 and later became active in politics.

She held several diplomatic posts, including ambassador to Czechoslovakia in the late 1980s.


1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world