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Paul Ferris

person39 mentionsFirst seen Mar 6, 2007Last seen Feb 17, 2026

Profile

Paul Ferris is a legendary pinball artist and art director who worked across multiple major manufacturers including Valley (1976-1983), Game Plan, Williams, Bally, and Data East (1990-1996). He is recognized for creating iconic backglass artwork for numerous classic pinball machines including Paragon, 8 Ball, Evil Knievel, Space Invaders, Centaur, Playboy, and The Phantom of the Opera. Ferris served as an art director at Bally during the late 1980s-early 1990s and won Artist of the Year awards, establishing himself as a foundational figure in pinball art direction and visual design.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • designedCentaurCreated artwork for Centaurmedium
  • designedParagonPaul Ferris created the artwork for Paragonmedium
  • designedAndromedaPaul Ferris created the artwork for Andromedamedium
  • works_atBallyArt director at Bally during late 1980s-early 1990smedium
  • works_atWilliamsArtist and art director at Williamsmedium

Facts

  • achievementCollaborated with Dave Christensen on pinball artworkmedium
  • achievementCreated artwork for Evil Knievel pinballhigh
  • achievementCreated artwork for 8 Ball pinballhigh
  • achievementCreated artwork for Paragon pinballhigh
  • achievementWon Artist of the Year award at Ballyhighfrom 1991
  • achievementCreated backglass artwork for Future Spahigh
  • affiliationWorked at Game Planhigh

Claims (8)

  • rumormedium

    Phantom of the Opera featured Paul Ferris's daughter in the scantily clad artwork

    Source: Bash Pinball hosts citing Ian's accountRare Game Roundup | Harry Potter | Pinball Expo Recap!
  • factualhigh

    Paul Ferris created the artwork for Eight Ball

    Source: Past Times Arcade hostPast Times Pinball History Ep 15: Eight Ball
  • factualhigh

    Paul Ferris created the artwork for both Future Spa and Phantom of the Opera

    Source: Bug's discovery during streamBackglass Tier List
  • factualhigh

    There was actual talk at Bally in 1983 of not doing pinball anymore

    Source: Paul Ferris (via archived interview)

Recent Mentions (0)

No mentions

Contradictions

  • Existing: Paul Ferris is referred to as 'Paul Ferris' throughout most evidencevsConflicting: Mention 7 refers to 'Paul Faris' (note spelling variation) in TOPCast episode title
    Unresolved
  • Existing: Paul Ferris worked at Valley from 1976-1983 as staff illustrator and art director (mention 7)vsConflicting: Margaret Hudson was hired at Bally in 1976 and established the company's in-house art department (mention 6)
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Paul Ferris is a pinball artist who created artwork for various games (mentions 0, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13)vsConflicting: Mention 1 suggests Kevin O'Connor may be co-artist on King Kong, but no confirmation that Ferris worked on King Kong
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

  • works_atData East USA Inc.Artist at Data East from 1990-1996medium
  • affiliated_withJohn BorgAttended Frankenstein movie premiere and traveled togethermedium
  • affiliated_withDave ChristensenCollaborated on Future Spa backglass artworkmedium
  • affiliationWorked at Williamshigh
  • affiliationWorked at Data Easthighfrom 1990 until 1996
  • attributeLegendary pinball artisthigh
  • roleArt director at Ballyhigh
  • roleStaff illustrator and art director at Valley Pinballhighfrom 1976 until 1983
  • Pinball Is Dying Part 3 – Bally-Midway
  • factualhigh

    Paul Ferris left Bally in 1983 as the art department was gutted to a skeleton crew of 2-3 people

    Source: Paul Ferris (via archived interview)Pinball Is Dying Part 3 – Bally-Midway
  • factualmedium

    Paul Ferris had been trying to convince Bally to do something in H.R. Giger's style for a long time before Space Invaders

    Source: David Dennis (relaying Paul Ferris recollection)Moving Units Part 2 – The Class Of 1981
  • factualmedium

    Paul Ferris attended the Fox/Bally meeting about the Alien license and influenced the design decision toward H.R. Giger's style

    Source: David Dennis citing Ferris interviewMoving Units Part 2 – The Class Of 1981
  • factualhigh

    Paul Ferris did the artwork for Centaur

    Source: Cary HardyCentaur Pinball Playfield Swap Process Part 1
  • Existing: Paul Ferris worked at Valley (1976-1983) as staff illustrator and art director (mention 7)
    vs
    Conflicting: Paul Ferris hired Margaret Hudson at Bally in 1976 and established the company's in-house art department (mention 6)
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 2, 2026