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Paul Faris

person4 mentionsFirst seen May 30, 2009Last seen Aug 19, 2018

Profile

Paul Farris is a person mentioned in 1 episode(s).

Aliases

Paul Farris

Relationships

No relationships

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (16)

  • factualhigh

    Phantom of the Opera's female figure was modeled after artist Paul Faris's daughter

    Source: AlexEpisode 90 - Pinball Hindsight Awards 1990
  • factualhigh

    Paul Faris created the artwork for the machine

    Source: Knapp ArcadeRoger Sharpe’s Rare Prototype Muppets Pinball Machine
  • factualhigh

    Paul Faris created the artwork for Centaur

    Source: George and DaveEpisode 10: The Classic Pinball Podcast-Centaur
  • factualhigh

    Paul Faris appeared as a motorcycle on the Centaur backglass along with his wife

    Source: DaveEpisode 10: The Classic Pinball Podcast-Centaur

Recent Mentions (46)

  • Paragon Backglass creator; attended Dutch Pinball Open; worked on machines with Jim Patla during Bally Williams days

    Episode 25 - Jack Danger (deadflip Pinball Streaming)Nov 26, 2018
  • Pinball artist; recently returned to pinball working with Deep Root Pinball

    Episode 26 - Pinball Conspiracy TheoryDec 4, 2018
  • Artist credited for Mary Shelley's Frankenstein pinball artwork, which host and Dennis criticize heavily for its visual quality.

    The Pinball Show Episode 178 BONUS: Dennis' Top 5 Greatest Pinball Machines Of All Time From Each Company Part 2 (Data East & Sega)Jul 12, 2025
  • Artwork/art director for Evel Knievel pinball and other Bally games from the era including Paragon and Centaur.

    #83 Evel Knievel- The Classic Pinball PodcastApr 26, 2022
  • Backglass specialist/craftsperson; created custom framed Future Spa backglass for Joe Lemire

    #34 Spinner - spinner, chicken dinnerJul 27, 2020
  • Artist for Xenon who suggested futuristic name based on the clear tube resembling a neon sign; created futuristic artwork

    Pinball Heroes: Greg Kmiec

Contradictions

No contradictions detected

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

  • factualhigh

    Paul Faris designed 32 pinball games total

    Source: Paul Faris (verified against website)Paul Faris
  • factualhigh

    Paul Faris coached wrestling at Montini Catholic for 40 years and achieved state championship and 4th national ranking

    Source: Paul FarisPaul Faris
  • opinionhigh

    Four-color process printing enabled artists to use oil painting, watercolor, and airbrush techniques in pinball backglass art

    Source: Paul FarisPaul Faris
  • factualhigh

    Evil Knievel pinball sold 14,000 units

    Source: Paul Faris confirmed to hostTOPCast 48: Paul Faris
  • factualhigh

    8 Ball was the most popular pinball machine ever made with 20,000 units sold

    Source: Paul Faris stated directlyTOPCast 48: Paul Faris
  • factualhigh

    Four-color process printing was pioneered by Paul Faris at Valley and represented a major contribution to pinball graphics

    Source: Paul Faris explained his role in adopting the technologyTOPCast 48: Paul Faris
  • factualhigh

    Wizard was the first licensed pinball game based on Tommy

    Source: Paul Faris credited Tom Neiman and Valley with developing the conceptTOPCast 48: Paul Faris
  • factualmedium

    Pinball was not legal in Chicago during Paul Faris's childhood

    Source: Paul Faris stated in interviewTOPCast 48: Paul Faris
  • factualhigh

    Paul Faris taught high school for seven years before joining Valley in 1976

    Source: Paul Faris described his teaching careerTOPCast 48: Paul Faris
  • rumorlow

    Henry Winkler reportedly said you 'arrive' when you see yourself on a pinball machine upon seeing 8 Ball

    Source: Paul Faris heard this story second-hand from Tom NeimanTOPCast 48: Paul Faris
  • opinionhigh

    Dave Christensen was one of the best line artists in the industry and could work magic with a pen

    Source: Paul Faris praised Christensen during interviewTOPCast 48: Paul Faris
  • factualhigh

    Paul Faris is a classic Bally/Data East/Sega pinball artist

    Source: ArticleChurchill's Coming Home
  • May 30, 2009
  • Bally legend in engineering division who worked with Popadiuk

    Pinball Heroes: John PopadiukJul 4, 2009
  • Legendary pinball artist who created backglass artwork for Future Spa and other machines including Phantom of the Opera

    Part 4: 1979 Bally Future Spa Garage Project! Some final repairs! The Spa is done!Jul 10, 2025
  • Legendary pinball backglass artist; designed 32 games; pioneered four-color process printing in pinball at Bally; also high school wrestling coach for 40 years

    Paul FarisAug 19, 2018
  • Classic pinball artist who created artwork for Future Spa and Phantom of the Opera; Bug's stated favorite artist

    Backglass Tier ListJan 27, 2024
  • Original artist/designer of Xenon (1980)

    S289: XENON Battle!May 29, 2020
  • Pinball artist; George expresses mixed feelings about his artwork style across different games

    Stream 660: Stern LOTR (2003)Aug 11, 2023
  • Artist credited with creating the artwork for Centaur pinball machine

    Centaur Pinball Playfield Swap Process Part 1Dec 14, 2018
  • Artist working on Deep Root pinball games; first collaboration with Dennis Nordman; also working on other Deep Root projects

    Deeproot Pinball - Pinball Expo 2018 - Pinball NewsOct 20, 2018
  • Borg's colleague who attended Frankenstein movie premiere with him in California; fellow industry professional

    The Early Years & More - Pinball Expo 2024 - John BorgOct 18, 2024
  • Williams pinball artist whose work Gottlieb found threatening; influenced by Frank Frazetta; created four-color process backglass art for Lost World and Paragon

    Master Class in Pinball Playfield Art - Pinball Expo 2024 - Doug WatsonOct 18, 2024
  • Artist on Dennis Nordman games at Deep Root; first collaboration with Nordman; creating backglass art based on designer's physical playfield models

    Kaneda's Never Forget: Deeproot Pinball at Pinball Expo 2018Jan 30, 2023
  • Bally innovator credited with pioneering four-color process printed backglasses; mentored Ramunni in acrylic painting technique; art director for multiple games

    Tony Ramunni - Dutch Pinball Open Expo 2025 - Pinball NewsNov 22, 2025
  • Credited artist on Eight Ball; created the artwork/design for the machine

    Past Times Pinball History Ep 15: Eight BallMar 6, 2024
  • Referenced in context of 1989 Batman pinball art/composition that Franchi incorporated as Easter egg tribute

    Ep 154: Evil Dead Pinball with BugDec 3, 2024
  • Pinball artist receiving more accolades than Larry Day; referenced as comparison point for art recognition in pinball history

    80s Cheese Done Right – Gottlieb 80bDec 2, 2021
  • Legendary Bally artist from the 1981 era; currently with Deep Root; designed Space Invaders artwork

    Moving Units Part 2 – The Class Of 1981Oct 16, 2020
  • Central figure at Bally art department tasked with creating differentiated visual identity; recognized Christensen's mastery; involved in licensing strategy and Paragon artwork.

    Moving Units – Bally's Art RevolutionSep 5, 2020
  • Artist for original Centaur (1981); known for striking monochromatic black-and-white playfield artwork

    Pinball Magazine & Pinball News PINcast July 2023 recapAug 4, 2023
  • Legendary pinball artist; Claytor cites Phantom of the Opera as one of finest art packages in pinball history.

    Episode 379: Ryan Claytor’s new bookNov 4, 2023
  • Art director for Bally's Class of 1981 pinball games; oversaw 8-Ball Deluxe art direction. Witnessed near-total art department gutting by 1983; recognized this as signal of industry decline and eventual departure.

    Pinball Is Dying Part 3 – Bally-MidwayJan 16, 2023
  • Bally artist; created back glass art for Future Spot (1979); shared art duties with Dave Christensen

    Episode 84 - The Bally Table King: George ChristianMay 26, 2025
  • Data East artist who created art package for Phantom of the Opera; served as Valley Art Department art director; modeled female character on his daughter, which hosts find uncomfortable in retrospect.

    Episode 90 - Pinball Hindsight Awards 1990Jul 7, 2025
  • Pinball artist; created best art package of 1985 for Andromeda

    Episode 94 - Pinball Hindsight Awards 1985Aug 4, 2025
  • Art director at Bally who hired Greg Ferris in 1978 after one-week design test; established darkroom operation; lifelong friend and mentor

    Episode 44 - The Notorious Bally Art Department w/ Greg FreresAug 19, 2024
  • Artist on Hook; legendary Bally art director from 1970s-1980s known for games like Paragon, Xenon, Centaur; praised by hosts for exceptional hand-drawn art quality

    Episode 40 - Die on this Hill: HookJul 22, 2024
  • Artist for Paragon; described as 'legendary' with 'unbelievable' art package; exemplifies Bally's investment in art direction

    Episode 18 - The Susan B. Anthony Years / BallyFeb 19, 2024
  • Pinball artist who created backglass artwork for Future Spa; part of 'nipple era' Bally design approach; collaborated with Dave Christensen on same game

    Episode 85 - Die on this Hill: Future SpaJun 2, 2025
  • Bally art director; art credited on Batman, Checkpoint, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; won Artist of the Year award

    Episode 105 - Pinball Hindsight Awards 1991Nov 17, 2025
  • Pinball backglass artist featured in Cunningham's planned book series

    TOPCast 11: Gene CunninghamMar 6, 2007
  • Head of art department at Bally during Fathom era

    TOPCast 56: Ward PembertonApr 2, 2008
  • Valley Pinball art department lead; took over from Dave Christensen; worked on home game versions

    TOPCast 54: Tom NiemanMar 5, 2008
  • Legendary pinball artist; worked at Valley (1976-1983) as staff illustrator and art director; later at Game Plan, Williams, Data East (1990-1996); created artwork for Evil Knievel, 8 Ball, Lost World, Playboy, Paragon, Space Invaders, Centaur and others

    TOPCast 48: Paul FarisAug 12, 2007
  • Art director who hired Hudson at Bally in 1976 and established the company's in-house art department; mentor figure who advocated for art department advancement

    TOPCast 46: Margaret HudsonJul 29, 2007
  • Artist; created artwork for The Phantom of the Opera; Joe notes as 'stunning' and milestone for company

    TOPCast 37: Joe KaminkowMay 27, 2007
  • Artist who created artwork for Grand Lizard

    TOPCast 35: Barry OurslerMay 20, 2007
  • Artist for Phantom of the Opera and other pinball artwork; rumored to have used family members as art reference

    Rare Game Roundup | Harry Potter | Pinball Expo Recap!Oct 31, 2025
  • Attended Frankenstein movie premiere with Borg; got stuck at airport overnight with Borg

    Episode 104 - John Borg: The Man Who Doesn't F*&k AroundNov 3, 2025
  • Legendary pinball designer. Franchi included hidden tribute in Guardians referencing 1989 Batman pinball design composition

    Episode 38 – Christopher Franchi Hexagon Threesome + Mrs Pin!Apr 9, 2018
  • Pinball artist; confirmed speaker at Pintastic; designing the show poster with Dialed-In theme.

    Episode 49 – Gabe from Pintastic + Mid year projectionsJun 25, 2018
  • Co-artist (with Kevin O'Connor?) on King Kong; Kaneda notes King Kong art should be judged on merit regardless of artists' pedigree

    Kanerda's Pinball Podcast Saturday Morning Spectacular Nov 8Nov 9, 2025