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. His father, Thomas Shea, was a civil engineer "William J. Shea", "New York Herald", November 6, 1918, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80355691/ who fought with David Farragut in the Battle of New Orleans during the American Civil War."William J. Shea", The Standard Union, November 6, 1918, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80356049/
Shea got his start acting at the age of 18 in Col. John W. Albaugh's stock company in Albany, New York. During the 1880s, he also became known as an Irish dancer and singer.New York Herald He was said to be the first real actor Vitagraph ever hired, having appeared over 4,000 roles "W.J. Shea, Movie Actor Dies," The Bangor Daily News, November 8, 1918, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80357537/ in more than one hundred films from 1905 to 1918.
Shea died of heart disease at his home on November 5, 1918.New York Herald Obituaries at the time listed Shea as the oldest movie actor in the United States, although most list his age at time of death as 56 years old."William J. Shea, Oldest Movie Actor in the U.S., Dies", The Boston Globe, November 6, 1918, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80358160/ Shea is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn.'Shea" The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 8, 1918, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80358542/
Selected filmography Year Title Role Notes 1908Romeo and JulietPeter 1909A Midsummer Night's Dream 1911A Tale of Two CitiesJarvis Lorry The Child Crusoes1912As You Like It1913The Doctor's Secret 1914Hearts and DiamondsUncle William 1916My Lady's Slipper Bucknail(per Variety)The Blue Envelope Mystery George1920A Daughter of Two WorldsSlim JacksonHeadin' Home
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