James Young (January 1, 1872 – June 9, 1948) was an American film director, actor, and screenwriter of the silent era.

[1] Before films, Young had a successful career as a stage actor appearing on Broadway and throughout the country, and was the author of a notable 1905 book on theatrical makeup.

His first wife was librettist Rida Johnson Young who often composed with Victor Herbert.

His second wife was film actress Clara Kimball Young, 18 years his junior, who kept his surname after they divorced.

This article about a United States film director born in the 1870s is a stub.