James V. Kern (September 22, 1909, New York City, New York – November 9, 1966, Encino, California) was an American singer, songwriter, screenwriter, actor, and director.

Educated at the Fordham Law School, Kern worked for a while as an attorney.

From 1927 to 1939, he sang with and wrote for the Yacht Club Boys quartet, with whom he appeared in several motion pictures.

After he moved to television he directed hundreds of series episodes, and was one of the house directors on I Love Lucy in the 1950s.

When he died suddenly of a heart attack at age 57, several episodes of the show remained only partially completed for the 1966/67 season; they were completed by director James Sheldon.