Shirley Jean Rickert was an American actress who is best known for “Our Gang,” “Mickey’s Minstrels,” and “Singin’ in the Rain.” She had a vibrant career spanning decades, appearing in more than 100 films.
Personal and Family Life
Shirley Jean Rickert was born on March 25, 1926, in Seattle, Washington. She won a baby contest at the age of 1.5, which led her mother to move the family to Hollywood, believing Shirley would become a star. Throughout her life, she had two marriages; her first husband was James William Riedel, followed by David H. Measures.
Career
Rickert began her career in films at a young age and quickly became a part of the “Our Gang” series. After her time with the group, she starred alongside famous actors like Mickey Rooney in “Tomboy Tailor.” As the film industry changed, she transitioned to burlesque, performing across the United States and Canada while her mother cared for her daughter.
Death and Legacy
Shirley Jean Rickert passed away on February 6, 2009, in Saratoga Springs, New York, under undisclosed circumstances. Her legacy lives on through her extensive filmography and the contributions she made to the entertainment industry, particularly in the world of musicals and early cinema.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Scarlet Letter | 1934-09-18 | Humility Crakstone |
| ‘Neath the Arizona Skies | 1934-12-05 | Nina |
| The A-B-Cs of Love | 1953-01-01 | Gilda |
| Mickey’s Touchdown | 1933-10-13 | ‘Tomboy’ Taylor |
| Mickey’s Tent Show | 1933-10-26 | Tomboy Taylor |
| Mickey’s Minstrels | 1934-01-10 | Tomboy Taylor |
| Mickey’s Medicine Man | 1934-05-17 | Tomboy Taylor |
| Five Little Peppers in Trouble | 1940-09-01 | Kiki |
| The Stolen Jools | 1931-04-04 | Shirley Jean |
| Love Pains | 1932-02-13 | Girl at Ice Cream Counter (uncredited) |
| Once in a Lifetime | 1932-10-02 | Flower Girl (uncredited) |
| Royal Wedding | 1951-03-08 | Dancer in Haiti Number (uncredited) |
| I Live My Life | 1935-10-04 | Child at Christmas Party (Uncredited) |
| Helping Grandma | 1931-01-03 | Shirley |
| Love Business | 1931-02-14 | Shirley |
| Little Daddy | 1931-03-28 | Shirley |
| Get Hep to Love | 1942-10-02 | Student |
| Best Foot Forward | 1943-10-08 | Dancer |
| Bargain Day | 1931-05-01 | Shirley |
| Crash Donovan | 1936-08-01 | Young Girl (uncredited) |
| The Major and the Minor | 1942-09-16 | College Girl (uncredited) |
| Singin’ in the Rain | 1952-04-09 | Chorus Girl (uncredited) |
| The Drunkard | 1935-04-03 | Julia |
| How’s My Baby? | 1930-06-22 | The Baby |
| Mickey’s Covered Wagon | 1933-11-29 | Tomboy Taylor |
| Mickey’s Rescue | 1934-03-22 | Tomboy Taylor |
| Mickey the Great | 1945-04-06 | Self |