William James O' Shea (6 October 1856 – 5 November 1918) was a Scottish-born actor.

He was born in Dumfries, Scotland and was brought to the United States when he was one-year old.

[2] Shea got his start acting at the age of 18 in Col. John W. Albaugh's stock company in Albany, New York.

[3] He was said to be the first real actor Vitagraph ever hired, having appeared over 4,000 roles [4] in more than one hundred films from 1905 to 1918.

Shea died of heart disease at his home on November 5, 1918.