Robin Burden answered
Shirley Temple is probably the youngest actress to have starred as the lead in a full-length feature film.
The movie Bright Eyes was written specifically for her in mind, even though she was just 5 years old at the time.
Youngest lead actress in a film
Looking back through the history of entertainment, I can think of several actresses who hit the big time when they were still very young.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen certainly come to mind, as they first starred on the set of Full House at just 6 months old.
Due to child labor laws (which limit the amount of time children can stay on set), the two fraternal-twins took turns playing the role of Michelle on the American sit-com.
Despite their very early involvement in the cinematic world, I'd have to argue that Michelle's character probably wasn't considered the 'lead role' in the series.
Who's played the youngest lead role in a film?
Mia Talerico plays a more prominent role in the Disney series Good Luck Charlie, and was originally cast at the age of just 10 months.
However, as the show is a sit-com series, she doesn't meet the criteria of 'youngest lead role in a film'.
However, Shirley Temple's performance as Shirley Blake in the 1934 comedy drama Bright Eyes does tick all the boxes.
Temple was just 5 years old at the time of filming, yet the entire project was written and developed with the little starlet in mind.
Temple was consider such a star that, in the credits and posters for the film, her name even appeared before the movie title!
The movie Bright Eyes was written specifically for her in mind, even though she was just 5 years old at the time.
Youngest lead actress in a film
Looking back through the history of entertainment, I can think of several actresses who hit the big time when they were still very young.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen certainly come to mind, as they first starred on the set of Full House at just 6 months old.
Due to child labor laws (which limit the amount of time children can stay on set), the two fraternal-twins took turns playing the role of Michelle on the American sit-com.
Despite their very early involvement in the cinematic world, I'd have to argue that Michelle's character probably wasn't considered the 'lead role' in the series.
Who's played the youngest lead role in a film?
Mia Talerico plays a more prominent role in the Disney series Good Luck Charlie, and was originally cast at the age of just 10 months.
However, as the show is a sit-com series, she doesn't meet the criteria of 'youngest lead role in a film'.
However, Shirley Temple's performance as Shirley Blake in the 1934 comedy drama Bright Eyes does tick all the boxes.
Temple was just 5 years old at the time of filming, yet the entire project was written and developed with the little starlet in mind.
Temple was consider such a star that, in the credits and posters for the film, her name even appeared before the movie title!
