Marilyn Granas, a renowned figure in Hollywood known for being the original body double for child actress Shirley Temple, has passed away at 98 years old. The longtime resident of Beverly Hills, she succumbed in October as confirmed by her family.
Her nephew, Arthur Grant, a film historian, disclosed that Granas had been contending with dementia. She was prominently featured in several hit Hollywood films such as Bright Eyes, Curly Top, and The Little Colonel.
During the filming of The Little Colonel, Granas was in close proximity to Temple and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson during their famous staircase scene. Granas chose to keep silent about her collaboration with Temple for many years, fearing it would overshadow her other accomplishments.
Although she previously avoided being remembered solely as Temple’s stand-in, Granas, in an interview in her 40s, shared insights into their close bond. She described their friendship as special, filled with inventive games and make-believe adventures on set.
In a 2016 interview with Closer magazine, Granas expressed compassion for Temple’s atypical childhood, noting the lack of traditional experiences like attending public school or playing with friends due to the demanding nature of Temple’s career.
Subsequently, Granas transitioned to working as an assistant casting director at NBC, participating in various industry events, including a notable beauty competition. Her career spanned over three decades, during which she significantly contributed to the development of casting departments.
Following the announcement of her passing, fans of Granas took to social media to offer condolences and reminisce about her contributions to the film industry. One Twitter user commemorated her as Shirley Temple’s stand-in in films like Bright Eyes.
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