Shirley Temple Dead at 85

Feb. 11, 2014— -- 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.