Shirley Temple: From child star to world ambassador

Shirley Temple Black, arguably the most popular child star in Hollywood history, died Feb. 11 at the age of 85. Here are some enduring images from a storied career that included her early turn as a Depression-era movie star to her later role as a US diplomat.

Pictured: Shirley Temple in 1933 for her role as “Little Miss Marker.” Shirley Temple, the curly-haired child star who put smiles on the faces of Depression-era moviegoers, died at the age of 85 on Feb. 11, 2014.

Six-year-old Shirley Temple as she appeared in her first featured role in the 1934 musical “Stand Up and Cheer” with James Dunn.

James Dunn prepares to tuck Shirley Temple in from a scene from, “Bright Eyes” (1934).

Shirley Temple circa 1935.

Shirley Temple wore a grass skirt and played a ukulele in a promotional portrait for the musical “Captain January’’ in 1936.

Shirley Temple arrived at her first big premiere for the film “Wee Willie Winkie” in Hollywood on June 26, 1937. During 1934-38 she appeared in more than 20 feature films and was consistently the top US movie star.

Shirley Temple with Delmar Watson from the 1937 film “Heidi.”

Shirley Temple as the titile character in 1937’s “Heidi,’’ which also starred Jean Hersholt.

Shirley Temple in the 1938 film ’’Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,’’ directed by Allan Dwan.

Shirley Temple, right, and Slim Summerville in 1938’s “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.’’

Shirley Temple performed on a beach while vacationing in Hawaii, in 1939.

Shirley Temple presented the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science special award to Walt Disney for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1939.

Then 39-year-old Shirley Temple on Nov. 14, 1967, in Redwood City, Calif. The former child star ran in a special congressional election to fill the vacancy left open by the death of J. Arthur Younger.

Shirley Temple on the campaign trail on Oct. 24, 1967, in Millbrae, Calif.

Shirley Temple Black running as a “Republican-Independent” on the phone as an assistant worked on her campaign on Sept. 7, 1967.

Shirley Temple picked up her nomination papers at the city clerk’s office in Redwood City, Calif., on Oct. 5, 1967. With her were her husband, Charles, and children, Lori and Susan.

Shirley Temple waved to the crowds from a palanquin at the Cape Coast Fetu Festival on Sept. 24, 1975. She was given a rousing welcome after being inaugurated as an honorary deputy Omanhene, a Paramount Chief. Shirley Temple Black was the US ambassador to Ghana from 1974-1976.

Singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye, left, is shown with United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim, right, and Shirley Temple Black, US ambassador to Ghana, at the United Nations in New York City on Oct. 13, 1975.

Shirley Temple, the former ambassador to Ghana, and New Orleans surgeon Dr. Alton Ochsner looked over awards for public service and patriotism presented to them by Freedoms Foundation in Philadelphia on Feb. 22, 1980. Temple and Ochsner were principal awardees at the Foundation’s annual Washington’s birthday ceremonies.

Shirley Temple-Black, then the US ambassador to Czechoslovakia, with Secretary of State James Baker and wife Susan on Feb. 6, 1990, in Prague.

Shirley Temple at the White House in Washington with her husband, Charles Black, on Dec. 6, 1998. Temple was honored with Kennedy Center honors for her lifetime achievement in the arts.

Kennedy Center honorees from top left: comedian Bill Cosby, songwriting team John Kander and Fred Ebb, musician Willie Nelson, Shirley Temple Black, and composer and conductor Andre Previn posed for photographers after the awards ceremony at the Department of State on Dec. 5, 1998, in Washington.

Award recipient Shirley Temple Black, center, arrived with her husband, Charles Black, and son Charles Black Jr., left, at the Department of State for the Kennedy Center Honors Gala dinner Saturday, Dec. 5, 1998, in Washington.