Shirley Temple-talented phenom and more, gone at 86

[No Elephants]

Shirley Temple began dancing by the time that she was 3, landing her first movie contract at age 4. Her first film was also released when she was 4.

Shirley Temple was not only the biggest child actor, but, at one point, the biggest box office actor of any age. But, she was also more--fundraiser for WWII (as were many Hollywood celebrities, but Temple was only 16), one of the earliest well-known women to speak out about breast cancer, an early female Republican politician, a businesswoman, a politician and an ambassador, although she had no formal education beyond high school.

Following her venture into television, Temple became active in the Republican Party in California. In 1967, she ran unsuccessfully in a special election in California's 11th congressional district to fill the seat left vacant by the death of eight-term Republican J. Arthur Younger from leukemia.<93><94> She ran as a conservative and lost to law school professor Pete McCloskey, a liberal Republican who was a staunch opponent of the Vietnam War.<95>

She was appointed Representative to the 24th United Nations General Assembly by President Richard M. Nixon (September – December 1969),<96><97> and was appointed United States Ambassador to Ghana (December 6, 1974 – July 13, 1976) by President Gerald R. Ford.<98> She was appointed first female Chief of Protocol of the United States (July 1, 1976 – January 21, 1977), and was in charge of arrangements for President Jimmy Carter's inauguration and inaugural ball.<98><99> She served as the United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia (August 23, 1989 – July 12, 1992), having been appointed by President George H. W. Bush.<33>
Breast cancer

In the autumn of 1972, Temple was diagnosed with breast cancer. The tumor was removed, and a modified radical mastectomy performed. Following the operation, she announced it to the world via radio, television, and a February 1973 article for the magazine McCall's. In doing so, she became one of the first prominent women to speak openly about breast cancer.<100>
Corporation commitments

Temple has served on numerous boards of directors of large enterprises and organizations including The Walt Disney Company, Del Monte, Bank of America, the Bank of California, BANCAL Tri-State, Fireman's Fund Insurance, the United States Commission for UNESCO, the United Nations Association, and the National Wildlife Federation.<101><snip>

Awards and honors

Temple is the recipient of many awards and honors including a special Juvenile Academy Award,<25> the Life Achievement Award from the American Center of Films for Children,<98> the National Board of Review Career Achievement Award,<102> Kennedy Center Honors,<103><104> and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.<105> On September 11, 2002, a life-size bronze statue of the child Temple by sculptor Nijel Binns was erected on the Fox Studio lot.<106> {In 1985, she received a full-sized Oscar as well.}

On March 14, 1935, Temple left her footprints and handprints in the wet cement at the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

On February 8, 1960, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her work in films.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Temple

Her amazing filmography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Temple_filmography,_features_and_short_subjects



Fundraising for WWII at age 16

[Enthusiast]

1. She was blessed with what would become famous dimples.

RIP.