Paul J. Smith (March 15, 1906 - November 17, 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 the Warner Bros. Cartoons studio. Smith died in Van Nuys, California on November 17, 1980. He was the brother of animator Frank Smith and the uncle of an actor and film director Charles Martin Smith.