40 Rare Vintage Photos of Shirley Temple at Home

2022-05-28 06:24:16 By : Mr. Allen Lin

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From her first house in Santa Monica to her last one in Northern California.

In the mid-1930s, there was no one more famous in Hollywood than Shirley Temple. By the age of 10, she had already starred in 29 films. Though she lived the majority of her life in the spotlight, these photos will give you a glimpse behind the scenes and a peek into her home life over the years.

Shirley Temple was born in Santa Monica, California, in 1928. Her first home was located at 948 24th Street and was a Spanish-style bungalow.

She began her acting career in 1932, landing a contract with Educational Pictures. The studio's casting director, Charles Lamont, spotted her at her dance school, Mrs. Meglin's Dance Studio.

As Shirley's career took off, her family moved to a larger home, just a few blocks away, at 259 19th Street in Santa Monica. "Inside and out, it was festooned with a jungle of hanging plants in wrought iron pots," Shirley wrote in her 1988 autobiography, Child Star. "A small shed was installed as my backyard playhouse."

But eventually Shirley's fame necessitated a move to a more private home. Some overly obsessed fans were approaching the house, knocking on the front door and even looking through windows.

Plus, Shirley was receiving an extraordinary number of gifts — primarily dolls and other toys. The family simply needed more space.

Shirley's family relocated to the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles in 1936. The French Normandy-style house was located at 227 Rockingham Avenue.

The actress's new home had a large stone wall around the property and was closed off with an iron gate. Here, she's pictured with her dog Ching-Ching.

The house also had a high-tech security system. Its windows were reportedly outfitted with alarms directly connected to the police station, according to Yahoo.

Shirley also had a "second home" — her dressing bungalow on the 20th Century Fox studio lot. It was a true house, with a kitchen, living room, bedroom, and a school room for the young star.

Shirley's acting career slowed down in her teenage years. After she left 20th Century Fox, her parents sent her to the Westlake School for Girls to focus on her education.

Shirley continued to act, just on a more limited basis. Between the ages of 14 and 21, she starred in just 14 films.

The slower pace of filmmaking allowed Shirley to live a somewhat more "normal" life. She pursued other interests, like collecting dolls.

Shirley also rode horses. The house at 227 Rockingham Avenue even had stables for her ponies.

Like many children and teens at home during World War II, Shirley planted a victory garden. Here she's pictured with actor Monty Woolley and her dog Soda in her garden.

While Shirley was able to adapt to more mature roles, the public lost interest in her when she was no longer a child star.

Shirley became something of a rebel as a result. The New York Times called her "a strong-willed, chain-smoking 17-year-old."

With her acting career waning, Shirley turned her sights on other pursuits. She specifically wanted to become the first girl in her class to become engaged, she revealed in her memoir.

When she was 15, Shirley met John Agar Jr. at a pool party at her neighbor's house. (That neighbor was actress Zasu Pitts).

Though John Agar was eight years older than her, Shirley was smitten. She accepted his proposal just before her 17th birthday.

The couple married on September 19, 1945 at the Wilshire United Methodist Church in front of a crowd of 500. The reception was held at Shirley's family home.

The couple eventually moved into Shirley's former standalone playhouse, which was converted into a proper house. The address became 209 Rockingham Avenue.

Shirley had her first child, daughter Linda Susan Agar, on January 30, 1948. Shirley was just 20 years old.

Shirley's husband was an actor, too. He starred with his wife in two films: Fort Apache and Adventure in Baltimore.

The marriage, sadly, did not last. Shirley reportedly had issues with John Agar's drinking and flirting.

The couple divorced in 1950. Shirley was awarded custody of their daughter.

Shirley was quick to find love after her divorce. She met her next beau, Charles Alden Black, just a few months later.

The two became engaged just 12 days after they began dating. They were married on December 16, 1950, at Charles Black's parents's home in Del Monte, California.

Shirley took Charles Black's name, becoming Shirley Temple Black. She and her second husband would remain married until his death in 2005.

By this time, Shirley had officially retired from acting, at age 22. She moved with Charles to Washington, D.C., as he was stationed at the Pentagon at the time.

While in D.C., the couple had their first child together. Their son, Charles Alden Black Jr., was born on April 28, 1952.