David Joseph Piel (1923 – May 6, 2004) was an American television director, producer and actor, best known for his contributions to children's television programming, in particular, the nearly 50 limited animation "Story Films" he produced and directed for Captain Kangaroo. He also directed the first screen adaptation of Crockett Johnson's hugely successful picture book, Harold and the Purple Crayon, and created the initially successful but short-lived, semi-animated TV series, Big Mac and His Magic Train.
Piel was a grandson of Piels Beer founder Michael Piel, and the younger brother of science writer and publisher Gerard Piel.