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Greg Freres

personactive68 mentionsFirst seen Mar 2, 2004Last seen Nov 22, 2025

Profile

Greg Freres is a renowned pinball artist known for his distinctive cartoonish comic book art style. He established his signature aesthetic on Elvira and the Party Monsters (designed by Dennis Nordman) and continued this style for Nordman's subsequent machines. Beyond the Elvira series, Freres has contributed artwork to multiple Stern pinball titles including The Walking Dead and Williams' Monster Bash.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • designedStar Trek: The Next GenerationArtwork designer and illustrator for Star Trek: The Next Generation, developed realistic portrait style for this collaborationmedium

Facts

  • intelligence_frequency_spikenoexpertfrom 2026-03-02

Claims (33)

  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres was the formative artist for Elvira and the Party Monsters and adopted a cartoonish comic book style used in Nordman's following two machines

    Source: KineticistSo Fun, They’re Scary: Elvira Table Reviews on Pinball FX
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres adopted a cartoonish comic book art style for Elvira and the Party Monsters and Dennis Nordman's following two machines

    Source: KineticistSo Fun, They’re Scary: Elvira Table Reviews on Pinball FX
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres retired as Art Director in October 2024

    Source: Pinball NewsSTERN APPOINTS NEW STUDIO ART DIRECTOR
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres studied Thomas Blackshear and Drew Struzan artwork to develop realistic character illustration techniques for Star Trek: The Next Generation backglass

Recent Mentions (69)

  • Williams pinball artist; known for colorful game designs; recently announced retirement

    Flog #31, pinball time travelling with LJ GreeneSep 5, 2024
  • Pinball artist who adopted cartoonish comic book style for Elvira and Party Monsters and Nordman's following two machines

    So Fun, They’re Scary: Elvira Table Reviews on Pinball FXOct 31, 2025
  • Stern art director; described as Hall of Fame-level talent

    Episode 1 (Pilot)Jul 2, 2018
  • Pinball artist; created art packages for previous Elvira games; rumored to be handling art for Elvira 3

    Episode 18 - I Heard a RumorOct 16, 2018
  • Stern Pinball art department, interviewed recently about art direction and Stern's visual design philosophy

    Episode 39 - Let's Work Together (for a change)Feb 20, 2019
  • Art department lead at Stern Pinball; guest on Episode 38; interviewed at Stern offices

    Ep 89 - SWL Closing TimeFeb 5, 2020
  • Art Director at Stern Pinball; 40+ year veteran of pinball industry; previously worked at Bally, Williams, Midway; did playfield art for Jersey Jack's Wizard of Oz; known for work on Elvira series, Scared Stiff, Fathom

Contradictions

No contradictions detected

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Source: Greg FreresEpisode 45 - Pinball Art Director w/ Greg Freres
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres took years to fully embrace computer art technology after initially resisting it, unlike younger artists like Linda Deal and Paul Barker

    Source: Greg FreresEpisode 45 - Pinball Art Director w/ Greg Freres
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres worked as Stern's art director for 40-50 years

    Source: Stern official press release / hostsEpisode 232 – Listener’s Choice 2
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres created iconic artwork for the Elvira trilogy of games

    Source: Stern announcement and article bodyGREG FRERES RETIRES
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres worked in the pinball industry for nearly four decades

    Source: Stern Pinball official announcementGREG FRERES RETIRES
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres served as Stern Pinball's Art Director for nearly twelve years

    Source: Article body and Stern announcementGREG FRERES RETIRES
  • factualhigh

    Elvira's House of Horrors was the first Elvira game to feature specifically filmed footage of Cassandra Peterson

    Source: Direct quoteDrinks with Jack - Greg Freres EP3
  • factualhigh

    Scared Stiff was initially met with internal resistance at Williams, with staff questioning the value of a second Elvira game

    Source: Direct quoteDrinks with Jack - Greg Freres EP3
  • factualhigh

    Party Monsters was conceived as a party-themed game inspired by Cassandra Peterson's historical role as a Coors beer spokesperson

    Source: Direct quoteDrinks with Jack - Greg Freres EP3
  • factualhigh

    The Elvira 40th anniversary cabinet features purple background and special foil with embossing and matte finish

    Source: Direct quoteDrinks with Jack - Greg Freres EP3
  • factualhigh

    Cassandra Peterson requested cheetah print for the 40th anniversary cabinet design

    Source: Direct quoteDrinks with Jack - Greg Freres EP3
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres served as artist on all three Elvira games: Party Monsters, Scared Stiff, and Elvira's House of Horrors

    Source: Jack Danger introductionDrinks with Jack - Greg Freres EP3
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres met Patrick Stewart at Paramount Studios commissary during Star Trek: The Next Generation licensing work

    Source: Direct quoteDrinks with Jack - Greg Freres EP3
  • factualhigh

    Dennis Nordman proposed a third Elvira collaboration via Pinside and received positive community response

    Source: Paraphrased quoteDrinks with Jack - Greg Freres EP3
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres heads the art department at Stern and is a Hall of Fame pinball artist

    Source: Ken CromwellEpisode 70 - Elvira Pinball is Back!
  • factualhigh

    Star Wars required collaboration with six additional illustrators beyond the lead artist

    Source: Direct statement in interviewEpisode 38 - Greg Freres & Steven Martin (Art Dept. Stern Pinball)
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres has been in the pinball business since 1978

    Source: Direct statement in interviewEpisode 38 - Greg Freres & Steven Martin (Art Dept. Stern Pinball)
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres worked at Bally, Williams, Midway, and as a freelancer before joining Stern

    Source: Direct statement in interviewEpisode 38 - Greg Freres & Steven Martin (Art Dept. Stern Pinball)
  • factualhigh

    Supreme pinball cabinet required white glove handling in the factory due to white cabinet finish

    Source: Direct statement in interviewEpisode 38 - Greg Freres & Steven Martin (Art Dept. Stern Pinball)
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres cited Roy Parker's Daisy May backglass as inspiration for his Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons backglass work

    Source: Seminar contentNORTHWEST PINBALL & ARCADE SHOW 2018: SATURDAY
  • factualhigh

    Medieval Madness playfield development drawings by Greg Freres are featured in the exhibition

    Source: Article contentPINBALL ARTWORK EXHIBITION OPENS
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres created playfield development drawings for Medieval Madness

    Source: Dan MarquardtPinball Artwork Exhibition Opens
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres heads up the art department at Stern Pinball

    Source: Pinball News articleWHIZBANG PINBALL TO MAKE SECOND TITLE WITH STERN
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres currently heads Stern Pinball's art department

    Source: Pinball News articleWhizbang Pinball to Make Second Title With Stern
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres created the artwork for Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons in collaboration with Dennis Nordman

    Source: Greg Freres' DPO Expo 2015 seminar presentationDPO EXPO 2015
  • factualhigh

    The game combines Roy Parker and George Molentin pin-up art styles with fruit crate label design aesthetics

    Source: Article design descriptionWhizbang & Stern's Whoa Nellie! Now Available
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres has been working in pinball since 1978, when he began his career at Bally Manufacturing

    Source: Official Stern Pinball press releaseGreg Freres Joins Stern Pinball Team as Game Designer
  • factualhigh

    Greg Freres expressed interest in working at Stern about five years prior to this hiring (circa 2007)

    Source: Pinball News interview quoted in articleGreg Freres Joins Stern Pinball Team as Game Designer
  • factualhigh

    Freres has designed artwork and helped create over 30 pinball, video and arcade games

    Source: Official Stern Pinball press releaseGreg Freres Joins Stern Pinball Team as Game Designer
  • factualhigh

    Freres worked continuously at Bally until 2008, staying through the release of the final Bally machine, Revenge from Mars

    Source: Article and official press releaseGreg Freres Joins Stern Pinball Team as Game Designer
  • Episode 38 - Greg Freres & Steven Martin (Art Dept. Stern Pinball)Feb 13, 2019
  • Artwork artist for Elvira's House of Horrors; heads art department at Stern; veteran artist for previous Elvira titles; described as Hall of Fame pinball artist

    Episode 70 - Elvira Pinball is Back!Sep 19, 2019
  • Former art director at Stern Pinball who recruited Jonathan Bergeron for Jurassic Park artwork; provided supportive, humorous art direction; maintained contact with Jonathan after project

    Episode 51 - How to Draw Dinosaurs w/ Johnny CrapOct 7, 2024
  • Artist for Dr. Dude; won Best Art Package award for 1990

    Episode 90 - Pinball Hindsight Awards 1990Jul 7, 2025
  • Referenced as creative director at Stern; described as 'famed pinball God'

    Black Knight : Sword of Rage Gameplay!Jul 16, 2019
  • Jersey Jack Pinball person who worked with Jack on Wizard of Oz reveal animation

    Ep 47: Jack "Danger" LarsonOct 29, 2020
  • Artist credited on Star Trek TNG backglass; signed the autographed backglass

    Sunday Livestream audio 6/24/2025Aug 25, 2025
  • Art director credited on The Walking Dead

    Deep Dive: The Walking Dead PREVIEWApr 20, 2024
  • Former Stern art director who recently retired. Credited with initiating the black-and-white variant concept for The Munsters.

    PNP 581- Bday Brunch With Franchi: Chris Tells ALL....Jul 30, 2024
  • Bally legend in engineering division

    Pinball Heroes: John PopadiukJul 4, 2009
  • Pinball artist; Youssi admires his Star Trek artwork

    Pinball Heroes: John YoussiMay 10, 2009
  • Pinball designer (one of the 'Greg and Dennis' team); worked on all three Elvira machines; referenced as having 'it down' creatively

    Elvira playing Elvira's House of Horrors Pinball!Nov 15, 2019
  • Encountered Ramunni at Pinball Expo 2025; facilitated connection between Ramunni and Dutch Pinball Open organizers

    Tony Ramunni - Dutch Pinball Open Expo 2025 - Pinball NewsNov 22, 2025
  • Co-founder of WhizBang Pinball; currently heads Stern Pinball's art department

    Whizbang Pinball to Make Second Title With SternApr 20, 2016
  • Co-founder of Whizbang Pinball; original artist and designer; created hand-drawn graphics

    Whizbang & Stern's Whoa Nellie! Now AvailableFeb 19, 2015
  • Co-founder of WhizBang Pinball; heads art department at Stern Pinball; collaborating on new game with Dennis Nordman

    WHIZBANG PINBALL TO MAKE SECOND TITLE WITH STERNApr 20, 2016
  • Pinball artist; Youssi expresses respect for his work and regrets he is no longer in the industry

    The Art of PinballMar 2, 2004
  • Designer/artist behind Elvira-themed pinball games with Dennis Nordman

    TEXAS PINBALL FESTIVAL 2017Apr 6, 2017
  • Co-founder of Whizbang Pinball; artist/designer of Whoa Nellie! hand-drawn graphics

    Stern to Make Whoa Nellie!Oct 16, 2014
  • Previous Art Director at Stern; retired October 2024

    STERN APPOINTS NEW STUDIO ART DIRECTORApr 14, 2025
  • Presented artwork approval process and iterative design changes for Star Wars game

    STAR WARS SEMINARJun 17, 2017
  • Co-featured in main interview for Issue 2; worked at Bally and Williams, involved with Multimorphic ventures

    Pinball Magazine Second Issue ShipsJul 5, 2013
  • Stern Pinball artist whose work is featured, including Medieval Madness playfield development drawings

    Pinball Artwork Exhibition OpensSep 12, 2016
  • Stern Pinball artist; Medieval Madness playfield development drawings featured prominently

    PINBALL ARTWORK EXHIBITION OPENSSep 12, 2016
  • Partner with Dennis Nordman at Whizbang Pinball; creating playfield artwork for Wizard of Oz and Dennis Nordman's Jersey Jack game #2

    New Pinball ManufacturerJan 2, 2011
  • Pinball artist with 40 years in art business; designed backglass for Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons

    NORTHWEST PINBALL & ARCADE SHOW 2018: SATURDAYJun 9, 2018
  • Designer of Northwest Pinball & Arcade Show 2018 poster

    NORTHWEST PINBALL & ARCADE SHOW 2018Jun 10, 2018
  • Stern Pinball Art Director; co-presented Ghostbusters and Star Wars seminars discussing artwork and licensing approval processes

    NORTHWEST PINBALL & ARCADE SHOW 2017Jun 11, 2017
  • Pinball artist; attended MGC 2016 as part of three-generation artist discussion

    MIDWEST GAMING CLASSIC 2016Apr 25, 2016
  • Pinball artist; referenced as notable Chicago pinball personality (likely variant of Greg Ferris)

    Kings and Queens Pinball, Imagists & ChicagoMar 1, 2017
  • Pinball artist; formerly based in Chicago

    KINGS & QUEENS: PINBALL, IMAGISTS & CHICAGOMar 1, 2017
  • Stern's previous Art Director; artwork collaboration on King Kong

    KING KONG: MYTH OF TERROR ISLAND REVEALEDApr 15, 2025
  • Pinball designer recently hired at Stern Pinball

    John Trudeau Joins Stern PinballMay 7, 2013
  • Team member added to Jersey Jack Pinball early design phase

    Jersey Jack LatestJan 30, 2011
  • Stern Pinball Art Director; collaborated with Haeger on Elvira and the Party Monsters (1989) and Star Wars artwork

    JACK HAEGER JOINS AMERICAN PINBALLFeb 15, 2021
  • Veteran pinball artist and game designer with 34 years industry experience; Hall of Fame member; recently joined Stern Pinball

    Greg Freres Joins Stern Pinball Team as Game DesignerSep 4, 2012
  • Legendary pinball artist, Stern Pinball Art Director for ~12 years, inducted into Pinball Expo Hall of Fame 2004, retired July 2024

    GREG FRERES RETIRESJul 11, 2024
  • Original artist for Fathom (1981 Bally); artwork preserved in Fathom Revisited remake

    FATHOM REVISITED ANNOUNCEDApr 26, 2021
  • Co-founder of Whizbang Pinball Studio; collaborated with Dennis Nordman on Elvira's House of Horrors; co-designer of previous Elvira games

    ELVIRA’S HOUSE OF HORRORSSep 18, 2019
  • Pinball artist; created artwork for Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons with Dennis Nordman; works at Stern Pinball; was special guest at DPO Expo 2015

    DPO EXPO 2015Nov 9, 2015
  • Designer; co-created Elvira's House of Horrors with Dennis Nordman through WhizBang Pinball

    2019 REVIEW OF THE YEARJan 18, 2020
  • Hall of Fame pinball artist who worked on Elvira's House of Horrors animations; previously worked on Scared Stiff and Elvira Party Monsters; scheduled to appear on next week's stream

    FNO Pinball Ep 26: Elvira House Of Horrors w/ Chuck Ernst of Stern PinballDec 9, 2019
  • Artist responsible for art package on Haunted House/Playboy Pinball 2000 project

    Rare Pictures of Never Produced Williams Pinball 2000 Concept Games...Star Trek, Defender & MoreJan 25, 2023
  • Artist who created artwork featured on Elvira loot crate

    Stern Pinball and NECA Launch Elvira's House of Horrors Loot Crate, Exclusively at TargetSep 19, 2022
  • Designer/artist associated with classic Fathom; autographed backglass print referenced by author

    Unboxing of the First Haggis Fathom Revisited Mermaid Edition Pinball MachineMay 13, 2022
  • Artist associated with Fathom; created artwork for the game; mentioned as autographed print owner

    HAGGIS PINBALL BEGINS MANUFACTURING FATHOM REVISITEDJan 18, 2022
  • Stern employee; sat next to Franchi at signing table; received Batman 66 signed print

    The Super Awesome Pinball Show - Ep. 39 George Gomez Pt. 1Nov 23, 2022
  • Artist; created vibrant backglass art for Dr. Dude

    Review: Williams Pinball Volume 6 on Pinball FXMay 29, 2025
  • Artist on King Kong: Myth of Terror Island

    The 8th Wonder of the World: Stern King Kong TutorialMay 29, 2025
  • Art director at Stern Pinball on WWE WrestleMania project

    Making of WWE Wrestlemania Pinball from Stern PinballFeb 9, 2015
  • Retiring art director at Stern Pinball with 40+ years tenure; designed artwork for Hot Doggin', Fathom, Dr. Dude, No Fear and numerous other games

    Episode 232 – Listener’s Choice 2Jul 15, 2024
  • Stern's previous art director (retired); co-artist on King Kong: Myth of Terror Island

    Pinball Magazine & Pinball News PINcast April 2025 recapMay 2, 2025
  • Artist credited with artwork for Elvira: House of Horrors

    Silverball Chronicles BONUS: Our Top PinsOct 10, 2023
  • Artist at Bally during Papaduke's early career; cited as one of the talented people in Papaduke's orbit

    Down The Rabbit Hole With John PopaduikMay 17, 2022
  • Art director at Williams/Bally; hired Linda Deal; worked alongside Margaret Hudson and Kevin O'Connor in art department. Previously interviewed on Wedgehead Pinball Podcast.

    Episode 70 - Legendary Women of the Pinball IndustryFeb 17, 2025
  • Legendary pinball artist and art director at Williams Electronics; known for distinctive art style blending Mad Magazine influence with monster/horror themes; worked as art department manager from early 1980s through the 1990s

    Episode 45 - Pinball Art Director w/ Greg FreresAug 26, 2024
  • Artist credited on No Fear; hosts describe artwork as 'legendary phenomenal'; distinctive photorealistic hand-drawn art style with exploding head motif

    Episode 15 - Die on this Hill: No FearJan 29, 2024
  • Designer who chose to create Dr. Dude (1990) original theme instead of licensed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game; described as having iconic art style

    Episode 76 - Original ThemesMar 31, 2025
  • Artist on Monster Bash

    Rock Monster: Learn to Play Williams Monster Bash PinballOct 29, 2025
  • Pinball artist who established his signature cartoonish comic book art style on Elvira and the Party Monsters; continued style for Dennis Nordman's following two machines

    So Fun, They’re Scary: Elvira Table Reviews on Pinball FXOct 30, 2025
  • Artist for The Walking Dead pinball

    Walker Bait: Learn to Play Stern's The Walking Dead PinballOct 24, 2025
  • Renowned pinball artist responsible for artwork on multiple Stern titles, particularly the Elvira series.

    Drinks with Jack - Greg Freres EP3Feb 11, 2022
  • Pinball designer who influenced party-themed games and collaborated with Nordman on Elvira and the Party Monsters concept

    Episode 55 – Dennis Nordman and The Curse of ElviraAug 6, 2018