An artificial eye for use with an animatronic figure or a robot. The artificial eye includes an outer shell formed with a wall defining a spherical inner void space. The outer shell includes a transparent outer or forward portion or half joined with a rear portion or half. The artificial eye includes an inner eye or sphere including a hollow, semi-spherical shell, and the inner eye is positioned in the inner void space of the outer shell. The artificial eye includes an electromagnetic drive positioned within the hollow, semi-spherical shell of the inner eye. The electromagnetic drive supports the inner eye a distance from inner surfaces of the outer shell wall, and the drive includes a pivot joint such as a gimbal operable to pivot the inner eye. The inner eye is supported by a central pivot joint and driven by components centrally located and hidden within the inner eye.