The Truth About John Agar, Shirley Temple’s First Husband
Central Press/Getty Images By Hillary Sussman/June 20, 2021 9:14 pm EST
Child star Shirley Temple first graced the silver screen in 1932 with “Red-Haired Alibi.” The late actor went on to star in more than 50 films during the course of her career (via IMDb). With her curly locks, dimples, tap dancing, and adorable singing voice, Temple quickly became Hollywood’s biggest star of the Depression Era (via New York Times). However, as all fame ebbs, so did Temple’s, particularly when she hit her teenage years. Temple’s hair straightened and darkened and was regarded by film historian David Thomson as “an unremarkable teenager.” But one man was still captivated by Temple’s charm.
Before meeting her second husband, Charles Alden Black, Temple was swept up in another whirlwind romance. Seven years her senior, Army Air Corps Sergeant John Agar fell under Temple’s spell at a Beverly Hills party. Agar, the elder brother of one of Temple’s classmates, proposed to Temple just days before her 17th birthday. The two were married from 1945 to 1949; however, their marriage wasn’t all “Animal Crackers” or “Good Ship Lollipops.”
The Truth About John Agar, Shirley Temple’s First Husband
Central Press/Getty Images
By Hillary Sussman/June 20, 2021 9:14 pm EST
Child star Shirley Temple first graced the silver screen in 1932 with “Red-Haired Alibi.” The late actor went on to star in more than 50 films during the course of her career (via IMDb). With her curly locks, dimples, tap dancing, and adorable singing voice, Temple quickly became Hollywood’s biggest star of the Depression Era (via New York Times). However, as all fame ebbs, so did Temple’s, particularly when she hit her teenage years. Temple’s hair straightened and darkened and was regarded by film historian David Thomson as “an unremarkable teenager.” But one man was still captivated by Temple’s charm.
Before meeting her second husband, Charles Alden Black, Temple was swept up in another whirlwind romance. Seven years her senior, Army Air Corps Sergeant John Agar fell under Temple’s spell at a Beverly Hills party. Agar, the elder brother of one of Temple’s classmates, proposed to Temple just days before her 17th birthday. The two were married from 1945 to 1949; however, their marriage wasn’t all “Animal Crackers” or “Good Ship Lollipops.”
Before meeting her second husband, Charles Alden Black, Temple was swept up in another whirlwind romance. Seven years her senior, Army Air Corps Sergeant John Agar fell under Temple’s spell at a Beverly Hills party. Agar, the elder brother of one of Temple’s classmates, proposed to Temple just days before her 17th birthday. The two were married from 1945 to 1949; however, their marriage wasn’t all “Animal Crackers” or “Good Ship Lollipops.”
Shirley Temple’s first husband John Agar struggled with alcohol abuse
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Agar’s reckless behavior was only amplified by his drinking, resulting in several arrests and affairs during their marriage. The couple had their first and only child together in 1948, Linda Susan Agar, but the trio were far from the perfect family. After four years of marriage, Temple filed for divorce, accusing Agar of “mental cruelty,” and was granted sole custody of their daughter.
When Shirley Temple heard of Agar’s death in 2002, she stated, “I hope he has peace.”
