Shirley Temple Black, American actress, singer, dancer and diplomat

• Shirley Temple, was born on April 23, 1928, at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, California. 

• She was the third child of homemaker Gertrude Temple, and bank employee George Temple.  

• Her mother encouraged Shirley, to develop her singing, dancing, and acting talents. 

• In September 1931, her mother enrolled her in Meglin's Dance School, in Los Angeles. 

• Temple had her signature dimples, blonde ringlet curls(styled by her mother), and strong work ethic. 

• In 1934, Temple starred in a number of films, including, “Stand Up And Cheer", “Bright Eyes,” “On the Good Ship Lollipop”, etc..

• She became the first child star, to receive an Academy Award, at just six years old!  

• She continued to star in films throughout her teenage years, and at 22, she retired from the movie industry as a Hollywood icon. 

• In 1958, Temple narrated, the “Shirley Temple’s Storybook,” a children’s television series which was her last before she went to politics. 

• With a lifelong devotion to improving the lives of others, Temple was appointed as a representative of the United States, to the United Nations, in 1969. 

• Her achievements included the ambassadorship to Ghana, and becoming the first female Chief of Protocol to the State Department, she was appointed an Honorary Foreign Service Officer in 1988.  

• In 2006, the Screen Actors Guild, presented Temple, with its Lifetime Achievement Award, the organization’s highest honor.  

• Temple died at age 85, on February 10, 2014, at her home in Woodside, California. 

• The cause of her death, was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

• Temple was a lifelong cigarette smoker, but avoided displaying her habit in public because she did not want to set a bad example for her fans.

• On 9 June, 2015, the Santa Monica History Museum, opened, “Love, Shirley Temple,” a special exhibit, featuring a collection of her rare memorabilia.