Shawn Shea

1955 - 2024

January 7, 1955 - February 24, 2024 Shawn Shea, 69, whose nearly four decade career as a highly-respected and much-in-demand 1st asst. director and stage manager included some of Hollywood's most popular situation comedies from the 1980's to the 2000's including Home Improvement, One Day at a Time, Family Ties and Who's The Boss, passed away at home in Sherman Oaks, CA on February 24, 2024 following a brief illness following complications from advanced pneumonia. She is predeceased by her sister Elizabeth Shea and her father, John ("Jack") Shea, two-time president of the Directors Guild of America. Her mother, screenwriter Patricia ("Patt") Shea, passed away on April 12th, 2024. Shawn began working in the film and television industry in 1976 when there were few women working in the key positions of 1st asst. director and stage manager. Over the next 38 years, she forged an outstanding career and a sterling reputation because of her excellent management skills and keen grasp of the fast-paced shooting schedule and complex technical aspects involved in television "sitcom" production. But it was her legendary smile, contagious laughter and wonderful sense of humor that won her supporters, fans and allies from the soundstage to the editing bay in studios across the Hollywood landscape. Other 1st AD and stage manager credits include Young & Hungry, Kirstie, Austin & Ally, Sherri, The War at Home, The Young and the Restless, The Bold and The Beautiful, The Price is Right, and Insight, among many other assignments. As an actress, Shawn appeared in All the President's Men and The Waltons. The oldest of five children, Shawn attended Louisville High School in Woodland Hills, CA and Loyola Marymount College. Despite her demanding career, Shawn was a devoted and fun-loving daughter, sister, and aunt to her parents, her siblings and their offspring, and her dog Barney. She was her mother's caregiver for over a decade. Shawn is survived by her brothers Bill, Michael and J. J., her sisters-in-law Suzanne, Jill and Megan, and six nieces and nephews: Amanda, Michael, Dylan, Hudson, Katie and Jackson. A joint memorial service for Shawn and her moth Patt Shea was held on April 20th, 2024, at St. Francis De Sales Church in Sherman Oaks.