Summary
Rockstar’sGrand Theft Autoseries is well known for its sensationalism. This manifests primarily in its controversial storylines and gameplay, as the initial game was condemned internationally for the level of violence on display. However, the sensationalism manifested in other ways, such as getting big names on board to voice act in their games.
For example, Tommy Vercetti, the protagonist ofVice City, wasvoiced by the late Ray Liotta, who also starred in films such asField of Dreams(1989) andGoodfellas(1990). There are a handful of well-known figures who make appearances as themselves, but othernotable actors have also appeared performing characters inGrand Theft Auto.
6Fred Melamed
Cris Formage
Fred Melamedwas a long-time character actor who finally broke through in the Coen Brothers' filmA Serious Man(2009), playing the antagonistic Sy Ableman. He has also played major roles in films such asIn a World…(2013) andShiva Baby(2020). He may not be immediately recognizable, but most people will know at least a few of the many television shows he has made a guest appearance in, including but not limited to:Adventure Time(2010-2018),Brooklyn Nine-Nine(2013-2021),Barry (2018-2023),andWandaVision(2021).
Melamed voicedCris FormageinGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas,Grand Theft Auto 5, and Grand Theft Auto Online. In every game, Formage leads the Epsilon Program, a cult that continually demands money from its followers in exchange for their salvation.
Melamed’s voice acting gives Formage a charismatic aura, befitting of a cult leader. Even as he spouts the nonsense tenets of his cult, it’s hard not to follow along.Michael De Santacan accept a variety of missions from Fromage inGTA5, and can choose to steal money from him upon their completion.
The lateBurt Reynoldshad a lengthy career. He starred in films such asDeliverance(1972),TheLongest Yard(1974), andSmokey and the Bandit(1977). Years later, he appeared inBoogie Nights(1997) and a remake ofThe Longest Yard(2005), among other films. He continued working well into his golden years, even being cast inOnce Upon A Time in Hollywood(2019), although he passed away prior to shooting. His career lasted over 50 years in total.
InVice City, Reynolds voicedAvery Carrington, a Texas-born real estate mogul who bears some resemblance to the actor himself. Carrington resorts to nefarious means to secure his influence over the city. He enlistedVercetti to commit several crimes, including committing murder, destroying rival property, and even starting gang wars, all with the intent of strengthening his business prospects.
4Fairuza Balk
Mercedes Cortez
Fairuza Balkis an actress, known for playing characters with a gothic vibe. A good example, as well as probably her best known role, is the young witch, Nancy Downs inThe Craft(1996). She also appeared in films such asAlmost Famous(2000),American History X(1998), andThe Waterboy(1998).
Balk voicedMercedes Cortez, the daughter of drug trafficker Juan Cortez, inVice City. She is characterized as a flirtatious young woman who likes to party. Cortez appears in a handful of missions, notably agreeing to appear in a pornographic film for InterGlobal Studios, a production studio that Tommy has purchased.
3Debbie Harry
Doris The Taxi Controller
Debbie Harryis best known for being the lead singer of the influential new wave band, Blondie. Some of Harry’s music, both with Blondie and one of her solo songs, has appeared on in-game radio stations across variousGrand Theft Autogames. During the band’s hiatus, Harry also picked up an acting career, appearing in movies such asVideodrome(1983) andHairspray(1988). Harry is one of many musicians to appear in the series, including the likes of Dr. Dre, Daddy Yankee, and Phil Collins.
However, the exact way in which Harry appears is different from many musicians in TheGrand Theft Autoseries. While many appear in the game directly, or on the in-game radio, as themselves, Harry plays a character inVice City.Dorisis the dispatcher at Kaufman Cabs, a taxi firm Tommy purchases. She is a longtime employee of the firm, and gives Tommy three missions after the purchase has taken place.
Bill Haderis a comedic actor, probably best known for his run onSaturday Night Live, which lasted from 2005 to 2013. He is also the co-creator and star of HBO’sBarry(2018-2023). Hader is also a voice actor, starring in animated films such asCloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs(2009) andInside Out(2015).
Hader has a voice-only role inGrand Theft Auto 4asWilson Taylor Sr., a guest on the in-universe radio program,Pacemakeron thePublic Liberty Radiostation,who strongly favors privatized healthcare. Taylor is also the CEO of an HMO, but frequently denies his customers' claims. He is shown to despise the sick, even claiming to have once let a child die rather than give her a life-saving liver transplant. At the end of the segment, Taylor is one of two guests to be fatally trepanned by another guest, a crazed alternative medicine guru named Mason Waylon.
Hader is not the onlySNLalumnus to appear inGTA. Others performers, namely Will Forte, Fred Armisen, and Jason Sudekis, have also performed minor roles in the games.
Perhaps the most well-known actor to ever lend his voice toGrand Theft Auto,Samuel L. Jacksonneeds no introduction. He has performed in iconic films such asJurassic Park(1993) andPulp Fiction(1994), among many others. He is also known for being Mace Windu inStar WarsandNick Fury in theMarvel Cinematic Universe.
It makes sense that a star as huge as Jackson would have a larger role than most . InGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Jackson voices the main antagonist,Frank Tenpenny. He is an officer, and a member of the C.R.A.S.H (Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums) Unit, who uses his authority to extort gangs and regularly engages in police brutality. His favorite target to pick on is Carl “CJ” Johnson, the protagonist ofSan Andreas. Despite claiming his efforts would stop the gangs, he tended to favor powerful gangs who participated in the drug trade, aiding them to increase his own influence on San Andreas. He is eventually killed attempting to flee a riot caused by his acquittal in court.
