Former childhood movie star Shirley Temple has died, her agent confirmed in a statement to ABC News.
She was 85.
Temple -- known in private life as Shirley Temple Black -- died Monday
night at her home near San Francisco, surrounded by her family and
caregivers, according to the statement.
Temple is best known for her doe-eyed turn in numerous 1930s films,
including "Bright Eyes" and "Curly Top," roles that allowed her to
showcase a special brand of energy and optimism for a country enduring
the Great Depression. She started dancing at age 2 and acting at 3.
By the time she was 5, she was stealing the show. In 1934, she was
awarded a special miniature Oscar for her outstanding contribution to
the silver screen.
She led the box office for three straight years. A drink was named after
her. Children copied her curls. A doll in her likeness became a
collector's item.
Eventually, as she aged, her Hollywood popularity declined.
At 17, she married John Agar, but the marriage didn't last.
Her second marriage, to San Francisco businessman Charles Black, endured
-- and allowed her to enter the world of politics. She served as U.S.
ambassador to Ghana and to Czechoslovakia.
Her survivors include three children, a granddaughter and two great-granddaughters.
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