Kevin O'Connor

Kevin O’Connor is a prolific pinball artist whose career spans from the late 1970s to the present day, having created art for more than 60 machines. He started at Bally during the golden age of pinball, where he produced iconic artwork for titles like KISS, Centaur, Flash Gordon, and Star Trek—each featuring his signature use of vibrant color, dynamic figures, and imaginative compositions. O’Connor’s early success helped define Bally’s classic “house style,” yet he remained adaptable enough to work with other manufacturers (including Williams, Midway, Data East, and Stern), continually evolving his approach as technology and player tastes changed.

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Over the decades, O’Connor has become known for his thematic versatility, detailed character work, and hidden Easter eggs—often including subtle self-portraits or nods to his collaborators. Notably, he reprised his own KISS pinball art when Stern released an updated version decades after his original Bally design, showcasing his lasting influence on rock-themed pinball. His legacy shines in popular machines like Creature from the Black Lagoon, Bride of Pin-Bot, and Monster Bash, where his lively illustrations draw players into each game’s world and enhance the overall playing experience. With a career that bridges the classic era and today’s modern, LCD-equipped pins, Kevin O’Connor stands out as one of pinball’s most enduring and defining creative voices.