Paul J. Smith

Paul J. Smith (15 March 1906 - 17 November 1980) was an American animator and director.

Smith worked for the Walter Lantz studio for much of his career, first starting as an animator, and then as a director. He also animated at Leon Schlesinger Productions.

By 1955, Smith had taken over as primary director of the Woody Woodpecker cartoon shorts, with periodic fill-in shorts directed by peers Alex Lovy, Jack Hannah, and Sid Marcus. By the late 1960s, Smith became the sole director of the studio until it was closed in 1972.

Smith died in Van Nuys, California, in 1980. He was the brother of animators Frank Smith and Hank Smith, as well as the uncle of actor and film director Charles Martin Smith.

Paul J. Smith

Looney Works[]

Animator[]