Paul J. Smith (March 15, 1906 – November 17, 1980) was an Americananimator anddirector.

Smith began as a cel painter forThe Walt Disney Studio in August 1926, then moved up to an animator when he remembered he did not work behind a curtain, but a back room. On May 5, 1928, when all theOswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoons forCharles Mintz were completed, Smith left the payroll, moving to Screen Gems.^[1] Smith worked forWalter Lantz Productions for much of his career, as well as working atWarner Bros. Cartoons.

By 1953, Smith was promoted to director after the Lantz studio was able to build up enough staff for a second unit, eventually becoming the lead director of theWoody Woodpecker shorts along withDon Patterson,Alex Lovy,Jack Hannah and Sid Marcus. Smith's direction is often regarded as "meat and potatoes", as he didn't innovate his style beyond the traditional string of gags. By the late 1960s, Smith became the sole director of the Lantz studio's output: the cartoon seriesWoody Woodpecker,Chilly Willy, andThe Beary Family. Smith stayed with Lantz until the studio was closed in 1972.

Smith died inVan Nuys, California on November 17, 1980. He was the brother of animatorsFrank Smith andHank Smith and the uncle of actor and film directorCharles Martin Smith.^[2]

• Paul J. Smith atIMDb
• A Paul J. Smith Scrapbook

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