Shirley Temple’s mother tried to make her childhood as normal as possible. She asked the parents of Shirley’s friends to not let their children see her films so they wouldn’t treat her differently, and she withheld all of Shirley’s fan mail until she was much older.

5 Stories About Shirley Temple

Former child actress Shirley Temple has passed away at the age of 85. But thanks to DVDs (and Turner Classic Movies), she will remain a dimpled, curly-topped 5-year-old for generations to come. We hope you enjoy these stories about the life and career of Shirley Temple Black.

1. Pre-Natal Stage Mother

Gertrude Temple, Shirley’s mother, already had two sons by the time she was expecting Shirley. Gertrude was a frustrated dancer herself, having grown too tall as a teen to become the ballerina she longed to be. While pregnant with what she hoped would be a daughter, Gertrude played music constantly on the phonograph and radio in an attempt to bless her child with an artistic bent. Shirley was walking by age 13 months, and at age two sh… Continue Reading (4 minute read)