Grand Theft Auto is one of the most popular video game series of all time, with the franchise's popularity absolutely exploding after the third game was released. GTA 3 was a landmark achievement for Rockstar and set the template for most sandbox games in an urban open world. To this day, it's hard for any open world to escape the comparisons with Grand Theft Auto, which is a testament to the sheer amount of love and detail put into each and every one of these games.
It helps that the script of the Grand Theft Auto games is also truly sublime, knowing when to crank up the seriousness to the max while also adding a ton of comedy to the mix that keeps things fresh and interesting. The end result is an unforgettable experience that has lasted for several decades, and here are some of the funniest characters in the series that players absolutely adore.
10 Lamar Davis – Grand Theft Auto 5
Franklin is one of the most level-headed protagonists in Grand Theft Auto 5. This makes it even more hilarious to see that he's surrounded by some of the funniest and most stupid people around. Lamar Davis is a great example of the same, with Franklin's supposed best friend being a pretty bad influence. That being said, he still looks out for Franklin in his own way.
9 Yusuf Amir – Grand Theft Auto 4: The Ballad Of Gay Tony
Grand Theft Auto 4 is easily one of the best GTA games of all time, with its DLC also being of pretty supreme quality. Most people fondly remember The Ballad of Gay Tony as one of the best pieces of downloadable content in video gaming history.
This DLC gave players an in-depth look at Yusuf Amir, a character who was only mentioned in the main story. He's a hilarious son of a rich billionaire who contracts Luis Lopez to fetch him several exotic items that can't be bought with money, including a helicopter that is absolutely kitted out with state-of-the-art weaponry.
8 Ken Rosenberg – Vice City & San Andreas
Vice City is a great game that lets players roam around Rockstar's interpretation of Miami. In typical GTA fashion, the game is filled to the brim with several memorable characters, including the shady lawyer Ken Rosenberg.
While he's a pretty great character, his cocaine addiction does end up causing problems between him and Tommy. During the events of San Andreas, he helps out CJ as well, with his cocaine-fueled behavior serving up a great dose of comedy once again.
7 The Truth – Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
San Andreas features several great characters who are pretty memorable in their own right, with the Truth being a notable mention here. This hippie is encountered after players escape the ambush set by the LSPD, leading to several memorable missions.
Torching a weed farm with the Truth is easily one of the most memorable parts of the game. Driving with him to San Fierro makes for an exciting experience, with CJ slowly forming a plan to get back to Los Santos to take out Tenpenny once and for all.
6 Trevor Philips – Grand Theft Auto 5
Trevor Philips is one of the three playable protagonists in Grand Theft Auto 5. He's also the craziest one of the lot and is the last character to be introduced in the main story.
His off-the-wall antics made him an instant favorite in the eyes of many players while simultaneously making them understand why Michael cut off ties with him. Thankfully, Trevor and Michael slowly mend their relationship and end up being friends by the end of the game...provided that players took the ending where all three characters survive.
5 Catalina – GTA 3 & San Andreas
Catalina is a pretty great and memorable character who makes an appearance as the antagonist in Grand Theft Auto 3. However, most people remember this character for her memorable antics in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Watching CJ be tormented by this crazy girl time and time again makes for a pretty hilarious time. Players were both saddened and glad to find out that Catalina eventually broke up with CJ and ended up with the protagonist of the third game, which made for a pretty cool backstory indeed.
4 Roman Bellic – Grand Theft Auto 4
Roman Bellic is one of the best characters in Grand Theft Auto 4, even if some people got tired of his bowling antics. Regardless, Niko's cousin is a lovable goofball who serves up some really memorable and hilarious moments in the series.
His inflated comments about his lifestyle are what compel Niko to immigrate to America in the first place. Watching him die in one of the two possible scenarios in Grand Theft Auto 4 is genuinely hard to witness and compels players to get revenge for his death.
3 Lazlow Jones – Multiple Grand Theft Auto Games
Lazlow Jones is a hilarious RJ whose voice is heard across almost all of the GTA games. Of course, most people know him for his memorable appearance in Grand Theft Auto 5.
This creep tries to woo Tracey, prompting Michael to go into a rage and humiliate Lazlow in the worst way possible. It's a fun mission that is made even better with Lazlow's funny personality!
2 Denise Clinton – Grand Theft Auto 5
Franklin's aunt is easily one of the most oppressive and annoying presences in his life. Of course, players don't really care about that, since she's also pretty funny in her own right.
Watching her constantly berate Franklin is funny on its own, but it's the brief interactions she has with Trevor that make her character so notable. That being said, pretty much everyone was happy to see Frankin finally move out and get a massive house of his own in Vinewood Hills.
1 Frank Tenpenny – Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
The cop that has it out for CJ is one of the most memorable characters in Grand Theft Auto history, showing how villainous he is from the get-go. However, even after all the bad stuff he does, players just can't find it within themselves to hate Tenpenny because of how charismatic and witty he is.
The fact that he's voiced by Samuel L. Jackson certainly plays a huge role here. His dialogue is simply impeccable and shows just how great the scripts of the GTA games really are.