Paul J. Smith (March 15, 1906 – November 17, 1980) was an American animator and director.
On May 5, 1928, when all the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoons for Charles Mintz were completed, Smith left the payroll, moving to Screen Gems.
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 the Woody Woodpecker shorts along with Don 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 series Woody Woodpecker, Chilly Willy, and The Beary Family.