Born in Santa Monica, California, I starred in over 40 films during the 1930s. I am the only daughter of banker George Francis Temple (1888-1980) and his wife Gertrude Amelia Krieger (1893-1977). I have two older brothers. I began my career at the age of three, after being chosen from my dance class by a visiting director. Between the end of 1931 and 1933 I appeared in two series of short subjects for Educational Pictures. My first series, Baby Burlesks, satirized recent motion hot pictures and politics. The series was considered controversial by some viewers because of its depiction of young children in adult situations. My second series at Educational, Frolics of Youth, was a bit more acceptable, and cast me as a bratty younger sister in a contemporary suburban family.
While working for Educational Pictures, I also performed many walk-on and bit player roles in various other movies. I was finally signed to Fox Film Corporation (which later merged with 20th Century Pictures to become 20th Century Fox) in late 1933 after appearing in Stand Up and Cheer with James Dunn. I would stay with Fox until 1940, becoming the studio's most lucrative player. My contract was amended several times between 1933 and 1935, and I was loaned to Paramount for a pair of successful films in 1934. For four solid years, I ranked as the top-grossing box office star in America. To hold on to my babyhood, my birth certificate had been altered. Only on my twelfth birthday did I realize I was actually thirteen.My popularity earned me both public adulation and the approval of my peers. Even at the age of five, the hallmark of my acting work was my professionalism: I always had my lines memorized and dance steps prepared when shooting began. I was the first recipient of the special Juvenile Performer Academy Award in 1935. Seventy years later, I am still the youngest performer ever to receive this honor. I also am the youngest actor to add foot and hand prints to the forecourt at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.I was paired with James Dunn in several films. I also made pictures with Carole Lombard, Gary Cooper, Adolphe Menjou, and many others. Arthur Treacher appeared as a kindly butler in several of my films.In 1940, I left Fox. I juggled classes at Westlake School for Girls with films for various other studios, including MGM and Paramount. My most successful pictures of the time included Since You Went Away with Claudette Colbert, The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer and Fort Apache. Information gathered from wikipedia
CLICK HERE TO GET A FREE MYSPACE LAYOUT
Extended Network Banner made with MyBannerMaker.com! Click here to make your own!
