Television Director, Executive. Born John Francis Shea, Jr., his father was a traveling salesman his mother a bookkeeper, he received a parochial high school education and later attained a degree in History from Fordham University. He broke into the entertainment industry in 1951 initially as a stage manager for the TV series "Philco Playhouse" and following two years of service with the United States Air Force during the Korean War in which he made instructional films, he turned associate directing. Among the TV shows he contributed to during this period include "The Jerry Lewis Show" and "The Bob Hope Show" and shared an Emmy Award nomination for the later in 1961. It was at this time when Shea became instrumental in forming the Radio and Television Directors Guild and was a strong voice for the hiring of minorities in the industry. During the 1970s, he began an association with Norman Lear and directed episodes from the series "Sanford and Son" and "The Jeffersons" (the later, he had roughly 100 directing efforts). Among his many other credits include "The Waltons", "Silver Spoons", "Growing Pains" and "Designing Women", for which earned him a second Emmy Award nomination. From 1997 until 2002, he served as president of the Directors Guild. He died of complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Television Director, Executive. Born John Francis Shea, Jr., his father was a traveling salesman his mother a bookkeeper, he received a parochial high school education and later attained a degree in History from Fordham University. He broke into the entertainment industry in 1951 initially as a stage manager for the TV series "Philco Playhouse" and following two years of service with the United States Air Force during the Korean War in which he made instructional films, he turned associate directing. Among the TV shows he contributed to during this period include "The Jerry Lewis Show" and "The Bob Hope Show" and shared an Emmy Award nomination for the later in 1961. It was at this time when Shea became instrumental in forming the Radio and Television Directors Guild and was a strong voice for the hiring of minorities in the industry. During the 1970s, he began an association with Norman Lear and directed episodes from the series "Sanford and Son" and "The Jeffersons" (the later, he had roughly 100 directing efforts). Among his many other credits include "The Waltons", "Silver Spoons", "Growing Pains" and "Designing Women", for which earned him a second Emmy Award nomination. From 1997 until 2002, he served as president of the Directors Guild. He died of complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Bio by: C.S.
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