Introduction

When we think of Diane Ladd, many remember the award-winning actress, the mother of Laura Dern, and the enduring Hollywood icon. Yet one chapter of her life involves a man less remembered: William A. Shea Jr.. As Ladd’s second husband—from 1969 to 1977—Shea held a key role in her life’s story. Though his name rarely tops headlines, his legacy as a businessman and his connection to Hollywood through Ladd remain intriguing. This biography explores who William Shea Jr. was, his journey, and his connection to an iconic actress.

Early Life and Background

William A. Shea Jr. was born April 14, 1926 in Maine, to parents William A. Shea Sr. and Margaret (Dowling) Shea. Growing up in a family with business roots and local ties, Shea Jr. absorbed values of leadership and enterprise. While he didn’t come from a Hollywood background, his association through marriage to Ladd linked his world with the glitz and challenges of the entertainment industry.

Family, Parents, and Siblings

Though detailed public information on his siblings is scarce, we know Shea Jr. came from a family embedded in business. His father, William A. Shea Sr., was the prominent lawyer whose legacy included a stadium named in his honor. According to People, Diane Ladd’s second husband was “businessman William A. Shea Jr., whose father, William A. Shea Sr., helped bring the New York Mets’ old stadium to life.” Together, William Jr. and Diane Ladd did not produce children during their marriage, but their time together remains part of both their histories.

Education

While specifics of Shea Jr.’s formal education aren’t widely documented, his career trajectory suggests a strong grounding in business fundamentals. Early experiences in his family’s enterprises likely provided him the acumen to engage in commerce and investment. This foundation paved his path into the business world, and later into the orbit of Hollywood through his marriage to Ladd.

Career or Profession

William A. Shea Jr. was known as a businessman before marrying Diane Ladd in 1969. Although many sources highlight his father’s prominence (Shea Sr. being associated with Shea Stadium), details about Shea Jr.’s own ventures are more limited. He represented a bridge between enterprise and entertainment—marrying into Hollywood at a time when Ladd’s career was evolving. Their union spanned nearly eight years. They divorced in 1977.

Relationship or Personal Life

In 1969, shortly after Diane Ladd’s divorce from Bruce Dern, Ladd married William A. Shea Jr. Their marriage connected her growing Hollywood profile with Shea’s business world. According to Ladd’s own reflections, this was a time of personal growth. She later remarked on selecting partners who needed love, saying:

“I married two men, Bruce and Bill, neither of which know how to show love… I hope I won’t repeat that again.”
Their marriage lasted until 1977, and while it didn’t result in children, it remains a notable chapter in both their lives.

Net Worth

While there is no widely cited public estimate of William A. Shea Jr.’s net worth, his family roots, business positioning, and marriage into Hollywood suggest he operated with financial stability. His value—like many in his generation—lies less in tabloid figures and more in the quieter realm of business partnerships and social networks.

Interesting Facts

• Shea Jr. is often identified in media only by his business title, but his father’s legacy (Shea Sr.) links directly to the New York Mets and Shea Stadium.

• His marriage to Diane Ladd took place in an era when Ladd’s career was shifting from stage to screen, marking a cross-sector partnership seldom seen in tabloids then.

• Despite being part of a high-profile actress’s personal history, Shea Jr. remained largely out of the limelight—preferring to keep his private and professional worlds distinct.

 

Social Media Presence

William A. Shea Jr. belonged to a generation before social media, and as such, he maintained a low profile online. There are no known public social-media accounts linked to him, which aligns with his more private lifestyle. This absence of digital presence lends a reflective aura to his memory: one of substance over spectacle.

Recent News or Updates

William A. Shea Jr. passed away on August 20, 2016 in Randolph, Maine, at the age of 90. While the cause of death was reported as age-related complications, the exact details were not widely shared. His passing preceded the death of Diane Ladd in 2025, who died at 89. In the wake of Ladd’s recent passing, media outlets revisited her full relationship history—including her time with Shea Jr.—bringing renewed interest to his life and their shared chapter.

Conclusion

William A. Shea Jr.’s life may not have been lived under flashing cameras, but his story weaves through Hollywood and business in a quiet, meaningful way. As the ex-husband of Diane Ladd, he played a part in a narrative of ambition, love, and reinvention. His passing leaves little public fanfare but invites reflection on the lives behind the stars—those whose names we may not know, but whose roles quietly shaped the stories we remember.

FAQ

Q1. Who was William A. Shea Jr.?
He was a businessman, known as the second husband of actress Diane Ladd (1969–1977) and the son of the legal-aide behind Shea Stadium.

Q2. What was the cause of William A. Shea Jr.’s death?
He died on August 20, 2016 in Maine at the age of 90. The cause was reported as age-related natural causes.

Q3. Did William A. Shea Jr. have any children with Diane Ladd?
No. Their marriage (1969-1977) did not produce any children.

Q4. What was William A. Shea Jr.’s connection to Shea Stadium?
His father, William A. Shea Sr., was the legal figure credited with helping bring the New York Mets back to New York and after whom Shea Stadium was named.

Q5. Is William A. Shea Jr. often mentioned in Diane Ladd’s obituaries?
Yes—while less prominent than her other marriages, his name is listed as her second husband from 1969-1977 in coverage of Ladd’s passing.