Highlights

  • Characters from previous GTA games occasionally make appearances in new installments, serving as nods to the series' continuity.
  • Some characters, like Asuka Kasen and Maria, are featured in multiple games, contributing to the same universe of the series.
  • Several characters, such as Donald Love and Kent Paul, have minor roles in one game and more significant roles in another, adding depth to their respective stories.

The Grand Theft Auto series is known for its compelling characters and eye-catching locations. However, fans don't always get long to appreciate them as every game introduces a fresh cast of characters, usually in a new setting. And few things carry over between each installment.

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However, occasionally, a character will crop up in a few different games in the series. They rarely have a big part to play in every title they're in, but they serve as nice little nods to previous adventures. Plus, they act as reminders that some games take place in the same universe. The following characters are some of the more prominent examples.

Updated on January 22, 2024, by Jason Wojnar: Every mainline GTA game is a self-contained story, but this list shows how characters pop up in several games. Even so, it is not vital to play prior games to understand said character's role in the other title. With GTA 6 on the horizon, one wonders if any characters from GTA 4 and 5 will show up in the state of Leonida. Pondering this question also makes it a perfect time to revisit this list, adding one more character who showed up in a handheld entry.

14 Asuka Kasen

GTA 3, GTA Advance

GTA 3 on the left, GTA Advance on the right
  • Played by Lianna Pai in GTA 3

The Yakuza play a large role in GTA 3. By the end of the game, most of the characters associated with the criminal syndicate are dead and gone. This does not mean characters could not show up in prequels, however. Asuka Kasen, who helps save Claude, the game's protagonist, shows up as a major player in GTA Advance.

This game takes place just about a year before GTA 3's events. Being a Game Boy Advance title, players don't get the same level of interaction with Asuka through cutscenes since it is all text and still images, but it is no doubt the same character from the breakout 2001 title.

13 Maria

GTA 3, San Andreas

maria gta 3 and san andreas
  • Played by Debi Mazar in both titles

Maria is a big supporting character in Grand Theft Auto 3. She is the reason the game's protagonist has to flee Portland. By the end of the game, she is safe and the two walk into the sunset, though some theorize the main character kills her as the credits roll.

She has a small role in San Andreas which shows how she and Salvatore Leone meet. She works in a Las Venturas casino and the mob boss charms her and ends up bringing her back to Liberty City.

12 Donald Love

GTA 3, Vice City

gta 3 and vice city donald love
  • Kyle MacLachlan in GTA 3
  • Cam Neely in Vice City

Players take missions from Donald Love near the end of Grand Theft Auto 3. The game ends with the businessman mysteriously disappearing. To this day, his whereabouts are unknown. He shows up in one scene in Vice City, where players learn where the character developed his business acumen.

Avery Carrington mentored Donald Love, as seen in Vice City. Love even directly quotes his teacher during Grand Theft Auto 3. In the third numbered entry, he is played by Kyle MacLachlan, famous for films like Blue Velvet and the television show Twin Peaks. He has almost no dialogue in Vice City, but the few words he utters are said by Cam Neely

11 Phil Cassidy

GTA 3, Vice City

gta 3 and vice city phil cassidy
  • Hunter Platin in GTA 3
  • Gary Busey in Vice City

In Grand Theft Auto 3, one mission tasks the protagonist with protecting an army surplus store from an attack by Colombian Cartel gangsters. The store belongs to a guy named Phil, a man with the use of only one arm.

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He shows up again in Vice City where he is a more fleshed-out character. He has more of a personality and players learn how he lost his arm. Players use him in a bank robbery for the Malibu Club asset and then can buy weapons from his place. Phil was memorably voiced by Gary Busey in Vice City.

10 Ken Rosenberg

Vice City, San Andreas

Split Image Ken Rosenberg Vice City San Andreas
  • Played by William Fichtner in both games

While not every aspect of Vice City holds up today, the characters are still pretty good. And one of the better ones is Ken Rosenberg, who sticks by Tommy Vercetti's side from the opening drug deal. He regularly gives him missions and generally helps out in building Tommy's empire.

Rosenberg turns back up in San Andreas, although his life isn't in great shape as he's made some powerful enemies. Luckily for him, he's introduced to another capable protagonist in CJ, who lends a hand.

9 Johnny Klebitz

GTA 4, GTA 5

Johnny Klebitz GTA V
  • Played by Scott Hill in both games

Public opinion on Johnny Klebitz is mixed as not many would consider him among either the best or worst characters in the series' HD universe. However, he has a substantial part to play in GTA 4, especially during the Lost and Damned expansion, where he serves as the main character.

During the DLC, Johnny tries to keep his motorcycle gang running despite the actions of its crazed leader Billy Grey. The biker meets an even more insane individual in GTA 5, as partway through the game, he confronts Trevor about sleeping with his girlfriend. The discussion ends with Johnny getting his head beaten into the ground.

8 Kent Paul

Vice City, San Andreas

Split Image Grand Theft Auto Kent Paul Vice City San Andreas
  • Played by Danny Dyer in both games

The cocky British man Kent Paul is one of Tommy Vercetti's most important allies during Vice City. His great intel and strong contacts make him very useful to Tommy despite being insufferable at times. Paul also manages the rock group, Love Fist.

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In San Andreas, Kent becomes an acquaintance of CJ as the protagonist helps him out with a few things. Paul doesn't seem to do much in return; he just hangs around occasionally.

7 Toni Cipriani

GTA 3, Liberty City Stories

Split Image Grand Theft Auto Toni Cipriani Vice City Liverty City Stories
  • Michael Madsen in GTA 3
  • Danny Mastrogiorgio in Liberty City Stories

Toni Cipriani first appears in GTA 3 as a high-ranking member of Salvatore Leone's organization. The mobster uses Claude to help take down the Triads in various missions. His role increase in Liberty City Stories as he becomes a protagonist – albeit not one of the series best ones.

In the game, Toni is returning to organized crime after laying low for murder, and his goal is to work his way back up the ranks of the Leone Family. It all takes place three years before GTA 3.

6 Karen Daniels

GTA 4, GTA 5

Split Image Grand Theft Auto Karen GTA 4 Gta 5
  • Played by Rebecca Henderson in both games

Early in GTA 4, Niko meets a nice girl called Michelle and starts dating her. However, it's later revealed that her real name is Karen, and she's an undercover government agent. She uses Niko to get her hands on Elizabeta's cocaine and then takes her ex to the United Liberty Paper to do their bidding.

While those actions are bad enough, Karen is even meaner in her brief appearance in GTA 5 as she brutally interrogates an innocent man. She also shows her face in one of GTA Online's less lucrative heists.

5 Patrick McReary

GTA 4, GTA 5

Split Image Grand Theft Auto Patrick McReary GTA 4 GTA 5
  • Played by Ryan Johnston in both games

Niko gets betrayed a lot during his adventures in Liberty City, but someone who always remains loyal is Patrick McReary. The two criminals team up on a litany of jobs together, which involve stealing, killing, and even some kidnapping.

Patrick's stealing talents come in handy again during GTA Online and GTA 5 when he helps the protagonists with some heists. Although, to assist the likes of Michael, Franklin, and Trevor, Patrick first needs to be found in a piece of easily missable side content.

4 Salvatore Leone

GTA 3, San Andreas, Liberty City Stories

Split Image Grand Theft Auto Salvatore Leone
  • Played by Frank Vincent in all three games

Throughout San Andreas, Liberty City Stories, and GTA 3, Salvatore Leone serves as the Don of the Leone family. He regularly gives out missions to each game's protagonist, and most involve weakening rival organizations to keep the Leones on top.

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Yet, Salvatore is not the best at maintaining his relationships with his allies as both GTA 3's Claude and San Andreas's CJ eventually fall out with the man.

3 Catalina

GTA 3, San Andreas

Split Image Grand Theft Auto Catalina
  • Played by Cynthia Farrel in both games

It doesn't take Catalina long to make herself one of the worst characters of the 3D era. In the opening scene of GTA 3, she betrays her boyfriend and partner in crime, Claude. Then for the rest of the game, the protagonist intends to hunt her down.

Multiple in-universe years earlier, Catalina is in a turbulent relationship with San Andreas' CJ as the two go on a crime spree together. She eventually dumps him too.

2 Lazlow Jones

Various, Especially In GTA 5

lazlow jones GTA V
  • Plays himself.

Since GTA 3, Lazlow has been in every main game of the series. Most of the time, his voice can only be heard via radio as he is a media personality.

Lazlow debuts in the flesh during GTA 5, where his treatment of Tracey De Santa puts him on both her father Michael's and Trevor's radar. And as he isn't one of the better characters in the game, it's fun to see the two criminals put the guy in his place.

1 Claude

GTA 3, San Andreas

Claude inside of the bathrooms of Liberty Park
  • Silent protagonist, no actor

Despite never saying a word, Claude is one of the series' most iconic characters. In GTA 3, he's the protagonist who spends the entire game trying to get revenge on his backstabbing ex-girlfriend, Catalina.

Before their violent breakup, Claude serves as her new man during San Andreas. The then-happy couple competes against her CJ, San Andreas' protagonist, in a race. Seeing the two significant characters face off is cool, even with the unlikable Catalina there.

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