Shea began working as a director in 1958, first on Television Specials like
The Jerry Lewis Show. He continue directing well into the 1990's, with credits including
The Bob Hope Show (1956-1966),
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (1969), as well as series such as
Sanford and Son,
The Waltons (1972-1975),
The Jeffersons (1975-1979),
The Golden Girls (1986),
Designing Women (1986-1988),
Full House (1989),
Growing Pains (1991), and
Sister, Sister (1995-1996). Shea earned an Emmy nomination in 1961 for his work on
The Bob Hope Buick Hour and in 1987 for
Designing Women. In addition to his extensive work on comedy series, Shea also directed several movies for television, as well as two feature films,
Dayton Devils (1968) and
The Monitors (1969).
In 1950, while working as a stage manager for NBC in New York, Shea helped organize the Radio Television Directors Guild (RTDG). With Frank Capra and Joe Youngerman on the west coast, Shea worked to merge the RTDG with the Screen Directors Guild (SDG), resulting in the creation of the Directors Guild of America in 1960. Shea then served on the DGA Directors Council and the National Board for 35 years, holding the positions of Vice President for three terms and President from 1997 to 2002. For his service to the Guild, Shea was awarded the Robert B. Aldrich Award in 1992.