Table of Contents
During GTA San Andreas,have you ever been doubtful about true personas influencing Carl Johnson’s story?It’s something many people face. The game features 250+ characters,it gets hard to tell who is a genuine ally and who is a disguised foe. This confusion often blurs the story’s true essence. Each character contributes to CJ’s journey,influencing his decisions and events differently. Once you figure them out,the story feels more meaningful and impactful. Big Smoke and Ryder start off as friends but later turn into enemies, changing CJ’s path.
Protagonist of GTA San Andreas
GTA San Andreas focuses on Carl Johnson (CJ), the key character whose journey powers every crucial event in the storyline.
Carl Johnson (CJ): Voice Actor: Young Maylay
In Grand Theft Auto:San Andreas,the narrative is built around Carl Johnson (CJ), a central figure of the Grove Street Families in Los Santos. He departs the city in 1987 after a painful family tragedy and relocates to Liberty City. In 1992,he headed back home after losing his mother. Beverly Johnson meets a tragic end. Shortly after ,dishonest officers from C.R.A.S.H pressure him to work for them. Back in the city of Los Santos,CJ sees that his gang is no longer powerful. The Grove Street Families are struggling to survive . He makes up his mind to rebuild everything with his brother, Sweet. Together, they dedicate themselves to reviving their gang and reclaiming the streets.
Core Characters GTA San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas includes a varied cast of characters,from CJ’s allies to main antagonists and mission-related characters,all contributing a part in defining Carl Johnson’s journey.
Sweet Johnson Voice Actor: Faizon Love
Sweet Johnson, the senior sibling of Carl Johnson (CJ), heads the Grove Street Families. He preserves the gang united and firm in its darkest and most turbulent times. A gunfire drive-by assault on Sweet Johnson by the Ballas ended in failure. It resulted in the devastating loss of their mother, making CJ return to Los Santos. Without Carl Johnson, Sweet Johnson is unable to sustain control as rival gangs widen their influence. When CJ arrives back, Sweet is initially suspicious, but quickly realizes they both aim to restore their gang. Both brothers team up to rebuild the Grove Street Families’ lost dominance, honor and authority in a city that has drastically changed.
Big Smoke Voice Actor: Clifton Powell
Big Smoke appears as an admired and dominant figure of the Grove Street Families, occupying a high rank within the gang. Gradually, he turns on his own crew and aligns with the Ballas, indicating a dramatic shift in the storyline. After turning traitor, he gains power in Los Santos’ underworld and rises as a major figure. He boosts his power by building ties with the Russian Mafia and the Vagos. In doing so, he makes the Grove Street Families weaker and alters the city’s power hierarchy.
Ryder Voice Actor: MC Eiht
Ryder maintains a strong position among the Grove Street Families. He works closely with Carl Johnson and together they perform numerous robberies, mainly dealing with weapons. His loyalty eventually breaks down. Ryder ultimately backstabs his own gang and connects C.R.A.S.H., the Ballas and the Los Santos Vagos, igniting a major change in the gang war.
Frank Tenpenny Voice Actor: Samuel L. Jackson
Within Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Frank Tenpenny is a crooked LSPD officer and C.R.A.S.H. member who exploits his power for self-interest. He continuously blackmails Carl Johnson, pressuring him to commit crimes under threat of arrest. Using control and threats, he holds control over CJ. He assigns risky missions such as securing classified FBI files forcefully.
Cesar Vialpando Voice Actor: Clifton Collins Jr
Cesar holds a family bond with Carl as his brother-in-law and the commanding figure of the Varrios Los Aztecas in El Corona. CJ first encounters him while street racing and their conflict develops a strong bond of trust. Cesar remains devoted and partners with CJ to pursue the betrayers who pushed him out of Los Santos.
Eddie Pulaski Voice Actor: Chris Penn
Eddie Pulaski is a dishonest C.R.A.S.H. officer who lures Carl Johnson into perilous, coerced missions through fear tactics. His mind games reinforce C.R.A.S.H.’s sway over CJ’s deeds, leaving him confined with minimal choice.
Catalina Voice Actor: Cynthia Farrell
Catalina shares a family bond with Cesar as his cousin and periodically pairs up with Carl on perilous operations. She had a relationship with CJ, but after they parted ways, she still reached out to him just to mock and annoy him about Claude.
The Truth Voice Actor: Peter Fonda
The Truth is a free-spirited hippie residing in Flint County who grows close to Carl in the Badlands. When his cannabis farm is discovered, CJ helps wipe out the crops to evade authorities. Later, CJ secures a jetpack from Area 69 for him.
Jizzy B. Voice Actor: Charlie Murphy
Jizzy B oversees the Pleasure Domes club and has a deep impact in the city’s underworld. He operates alongside T-Bone Mendez and Mike Toreno in illegal drug dealings. Jizzy recruits Carl to save Torino and defend his deliveries from opposing gangs. Subsequently, CJ neutralizes him for selling drugs to the Los Santos and Grove Street Families.
T-Bone Mendez Voice Actor: Kid Frost
T-Bone Mendez is a high-ranking member of the Loco Syndicate and governs the San Fierro Rifa active in the city’s drug trafficking system. He stays uncertain of CJ but still works to bring about Mike Toreno’s rescue. After that, CJ and Cesar Vialpando bring him down for supplying drugs to Los Santos and the Grove Street Families.
Mike Toreno Voice Actor: James Woods
Mike Toreno unexpectedly forms an alliance with Carl while covertly functioning as a secret agent for a classified government agency. Their cooperation is unstable, often packed with clashes, yet CJ still executes hidden operations for him. Toreno’s dual life keeps him connected to the Loco Syndicate’s illegal enterprises.
Kent Paul Voice Actor: Danny Dyer
Kent Paul is the handler of The Gurning Chimps and arrives in San Andreas alongside the band. He comes across Carl after being freed in the remote desert along with Maccer. Kent eventually brings CJ with Ken Rosenberg for vital insights about Caligula’s Palace. As a result,CJ helps him flee Salvatore Leone, while Kent encourages Madd Dogg’s rise again.
Maccer Voice Actor: Shaun Ryder
Maccer is a vocalist from Manchester and the main performer of The Gurning Chimps. Carl saves him and Kent Paul escapes the desert situation and later protects them again from Salvatore Leone. Subsequently, Maccer resides with Kent Paul. His unusual behavior often turns him into a mocked figure from CJ and Sweet.
Ken Rosenberg Voice Actor: William Fichtner
Ken Rosenberg runs Caligula’s Palace, a casino associated with the Forelli, Leone, and Sindacco Mafia groups. He remains fearful of revenge from these families and once dealt with drug use before giving up. Ken assigns Carl to halt tensions from growing into an all-out gang conflict. With CJ’s aid, he later flees their grip and ends up as an accountant for Madd Dogg.
Madd Dogg Voice Actor: Ice-T
Madd Dogg is a successful rapper in Los Santos, staying in an elite Mulholland mansion in his prime. After Carl reappears his rhyme book is taken away and his manager is killed, leading to his downfall. He sinks into dependency,walks away from his mansion and moves to Las Venturas under the influence from others. After that, CJ intervenes him from suicide and brings back his music career.
Wu Zi Mu Voice Actor: James Yaegashi
Wu Zi Mu called Woozie, is a sightless but dominant figure of the Mountain Cloud Boys in San Fierro. He allies with Carl after CJ supports him during a casino deal against opponents. Their bond deepens through shared trust and successful operations. Woozie also controls gambling activities in Chinatown and the Four Dragons Casino in San Fierro.
Zero Voice Actor: David Cross
Zero is a 28-year-old tech expert managing the Zero RC outlet in San Fierro. He is feuding with Berkley who owns the Top Fun shop. Zero enlists Carl to weaken Berkley’s business, which eventually drives Berkley out of the city. Zero offers electronic support for Caligula’s Palace heist but is hit by CJ after making the mission at risk.
OG Loc Voice Actor: Jonathan Anderson
OG Loc is a struggling rapper affiliated with the Grove Street Families. After serving a brief incarceration, he reappears in 1992 and gets employed at Burger Shot. He later hires CJ to boost his music career forward, resulting in clashes with his enemies. Eventually, CJ and Madd Dogg pursue him in West Los Santos and recover the snatched rhyme book.
Kendl Voice Actor: Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whittaker
Kendl Johnson is the sibling of Carl(CJ), Sweet, and Brian. She is involved with Cesar Vialpando, building their family ties. She migrates to Angel Pine after increasing gang pressure from the Ballas and Los Santos Vagos in Los Santos. Kendl helps CJ in handling projects like the garage and the Four Dragons Casino. She goes back with Cesar, who announces his desire to marry her during the Los Desperados mission.
Additional Characters In GTA San Andreas
These are the additional characters in San Andreas GTA characters who contribute to turning points in the story.
Jimmy Hernandez Voice Actor: Armando Riesco
Jimmy Hernandez is a rookie officer in the Los Santos C.R.A.S.H. unit under the command of Frank Tenpenny and Eddie Pulaski. He is pressured to show his loyalty by eliminating Ralph Pendlebury. He later decides to oppose the unit and thinks about exposing evidence to his colleagues. Pulaski finally murders him to suppress evidence.
B Dup Voice Actor: The Game
B Dup is a drug supplier formerly connected with the Grove Street Families. He originates in Ganton, Los Santos, and afterward moves into Glen Park. B Dup eventually betrays the Ballas and exploits Big Bear for own advantage. Big Bear later detaches from his denomination and joins rehab to recover.
Big Bear Voice Actor: Big Boy
Big Bear is an experienced member of the Grove Street Families facing severe drug addiction. He comes under the control of B Dup, who uses and governs him. Gradually,Big Bear escapes from that control and overcomes his addiction behind by seeking treatment. After healing, he rejoins the Grove Street Families with a stronger and renewed mind.
Dwaine Voice Actor: Navid Khonsari
Dwaine manages a street food van in San Fierro and is also working as a skilled mechanic. He is introduced to Carl with the help of the truth. With time,Dwaine earns trust with CJ and later employs him at his San Fierro workshop.
Jethro Voice Actor: John Zurhellen
Jethro serves at an Xoomer fuel station in San Fierro. He comes across Carl with the help of the truth. Jethro quickly develops CJ. He later takes CJ into his repair work in San Fierro.
Ran Fa Li Voice Actor: Hunter Platin
Ran Fa Li controls the Red Gecko Tong among the San Fierro Triads. He is unable to speak and needs Su Xi Mu to interpret his sounds. Carl aids him in fleeing assaults from the Da Nang Thang. Ran Fa Li includes CJ into his dealings and shares ownership of the Four Dragons Casino.
Johnny Sindacco Voice Actor: Michael Madsen
Johnny Sindacco is a key figure in the Sindacco Mafia Family and head of Caligula’s Palace in Las Venturas. He received major funding from Salvatore Leone for the casino. He sabotages the Four Dragons Casino machines, which causes clashes with the Triads as Carl demands answers. In the end, he is chased by rivals and succumbs to fatal cardiac arrest upon seeing CJ again.
Salvatore Leone Voice Actor: Frank Vincent
Salvatore Leone is the kingpin of the Leone Mafia Family in Liberty City. He holds a stake in a Las Venturas casino with the Forelli and Sindacco families after heavy funding. He involves Carl, but CJ partners with Wu Zi Mu and the San Fierro Triads for a casino heist.
Background Characters In GTA San Andreas
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
Old Reece Voice Actor: Unknown | Old Reece is a companion of the Johnson family who manages a barber shop in Los Santos. He seems clueless of his surroundings. He suggests Carl tell Big Smoke to get a haircut, although he is bald. Old Reece stays inside his shop throughout the game. |
Emmet Voice Actor: Eugene Jeter Jr. | Emmet is a weapon dealer connected to the Seville Boulevard Families in Los Santos. Carl approaches him for weapons, but Sweet and Big Smoke avoid interacting with him. |
Jose Voice Actor: Unknown | Jose is a gang member of the Varrios Los Aztecas and a companion of Cesar Vialpando. He disapproves of Cesar’s friendship with Carl since Cesar is dating CJ’s sister, Kendl. |
Colonel Fuhrberger Voice Actor: Unknown | Colonel Fuhrberger is a former army officer based in East Beach, Los Santos. Carl and Ryder invade his home and rob weapons and bullets. |
Freddy Voice Actor: Unknown | Freddy is a convict associated with OG Loc and the Los Santos Vagos. He is murdered by Carl and OG Loc after circulating false rumors about OG Loc. |
Alan Crawford Voice Actor: Unknown | Alan Crawford handles Madd Dogg’s profession and is taken out by Carl under OG Loc’s instructions after refusing the offer. |
Denise Robinson Voice Actor: Heather Alicia Simms | Denise Robinson, a Grove Street member in Los Santos, encounters Carl after he rescues her from a house fire and ends up as his partner throughout the game. |
Little Weasel Voice Actor: Unknown | Little Weasel, a Ballas member, is eventually removed by CJ and Big Smoke. |
Kane Voice Actor: Kobie Powell | Kane, a Ballas member, appears at Little Weasel’s burial and is afterward killed by Carl and Grove Street Families affiliates. |
Derek Voice Actor: Benjamin Byron Davis | Derek, a Dillimore station employee, follows CJ and Catalina after a tanker heist and is eliminated in Tanker Commander. |
Mr. Whittaker Voice Actor: Yo-Yo (Yolanda Whittaker) | Mr. Whittaker, a Flint region haulage operator, accepts a fuel vehicle from Catalina and CJ and afterward hires CJ for deliveries around the state. |
Claude Voice Actor: only grunting sounds | Claude, an underground racer, competes with CJ, Wu Zi Mu and Cesar, then partners with Catalina and departs Liberty City. |
Helena Wankstein Voice Actor: Bijou Phillips | Helena Wankstein, rural Flint region farm dweller and legal expert, turns into Carl’s girlfriend. |
Guppy Voice Actor: Unknown | Guppy, a Mountain Cloud Boys associate of the San Fierro gang, is not featured in the story. |
Katie Zhan Voice Actor: China Chow | Katie Zhan, a healthcare worker from the Juniper area in San Fierro, is occasionally CJ’s partner. |
Michelle Cannes Voice Actor: Vanessa Aspillaga | Michelle Cannes, a garage technician in San Fierro, stays in her workshop and occasionally dates Carl. |
Su Xi Mu Voice Actor: Richard Chang | Su Xi Mu works as Ran Fa Li’s interpreter, changing his grunts into proper orders for Carl and Wu Zi Mu. |
Little Lion Voice Actor: Unknown | Little Lion, a San Fierro gang pilot assisting Wu Zi Mu, features in “The Da Nang Thang” operation flying Carl over a Da Nang Boys freighter. He dies when a missile damages the helicopter in the mission. |
The Snakehead Voice Actor: Unknown | Snakehead, commander of the Da Nang Boys, moves from Vietnam to San Fierro on a freighter to dominate. CJ releases Vietnamese hostages and kills him in a sword battle. |
Barbara Schternvart Voice Actor: Danielle Lee Greaves | Barbara Schternvart, a law enforcer from El Quebrados in San Fierro, is sometimes Carl’s companion. |
Mike Voice Actor: Unknown | Mike, a Leone Mafia family, is assigned to Las Venturas on Salvatore Leone’s instruction to protect Ken Rosenberg as his security. |
Tony Voice Actor: Unknown | Tony, a human like parrot and Ken Rosenberg’s pet, dwells in Caligula’s Palace. |
Maria Latore Voice Actor: Debi Mazar | Maria Latore, a food attendant at Caligula’s Palace, encounters Salvatore Leone in Las Venturas when he captures the casino and eventually marries him. |
Millie Perkins Voice Actor: Orfeh | Millie Perkins, a Caligula’s Palace croupier in Las Venturas, turns into CJ’s love interest and can be removed in “Key to Her Heart” for a casino pass. |
Benny Voice Actor: Unknown | Benny, a visitor of Millie Perkins, is murdered by CJ. |
Big Poppa Voice Actor: Jeff Bennett | Big Poppa, a Los Santos Vagos drug runner, occupies Madd Dogg’s residence until CJ and the San Fierro Triads retake it and remove him. |
Jimmy Silverman Voice Actor: Gary Yudman | Jimmy Silverman, a Blastin’ Fools Records manager, handled Rochell’le and Madd Dogg earlier with OG Loc and finally separating. |
Gal Voice Actor: Unknown | Gal unites Carl Johnson, Hazer, Cesar Vialpando, and Sunny to recover El Corona for the Varrios Los Aztecas. |
Hazer Voice Actor: Unknown | Hazer collaborates with CJ, Cesar Vialpando, and Sunny to retake El Corona for the Azteca gang. |
Sunny Voice Actor: Unknown | Sunny joined forces with CJ, Hazer, and Cesar Vialpando to assist the Varrios gang seize back El Corona. |
On-Air Personalities And Guests
| Character | Voice Actor | Unique Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Burns | Wil Wheaton | An unethical WCTR field reporter known for creating chaos instead of covering real journalism. |
| Lianne Forget | Sharon Washington | A professional WCTR news anchor connected romantically with Richard Burns. |
| Billy Dexter | Peter Marx | Former Entertaining America host whose interview ends in disaster during a live broadcast. |
| Mary Ellen | Unknown | Country music personality on K-Rose and daughter of Mary-Beth Maybell. |
| Darius Fontaine | Danny Burstein | A controversial therapist promoting unusual self-help techniques on WCTR. |
| Cris Formage | Fred Melamed | Influential leader of the mysterious Epsilon Program cult. |
| Fourth Right MC | Sharon Washington | Hip-hop radio contributor featured on Playback FM. |
| The Funktipus | George Clinton | Funk-inspired DJ bringing energetic grooves to Bounce FM. |
| Julio G | Julio G | Famous host of Radio Los Santos known for West Coast hip-hop tracks. |
| Jack Howitzer | Randy Pearlstein | Aggressive action movie actor involved in a deadly live interview incident. |
| Johnny Lawton | Robbie Shakespeare | Reggae station host at K-JAH West working alongside Marshall Peters. |
| Lazlow Jones | Himself | Popular WCTR personality recognized for awkward interviews and comedic hosting style. |
| Christy MacIntyre | Sara Moon | Lonely Hearts presenter dealing with a complicated relationship with Fernando Martinez. |
| Fernando Martinez | Frank Chavez | Passionate radio DJ famous for relationship drama and emotional call-in shows. |
| Maurice | Andy Dick | Eccentric gardening expert hosting the bizarre Gardening with Maurice program. |
| Mary-Beth Maybell | Riette Burdick | Classic K-Rose radio presenter with a strong country music background. |
| Phillip “PM” Michaels | Michael Bivins | Smooth CSR 103.9 personality connected with modern soul and R&B culture. |
| Hans Oberlander | Lloyd Floyd | House music DJ bringing electronic beats to SF-UR listeners. |
| Johnny Parkinson | Ricky Harris | Soul and funk radio personality featured on Master Sounds 98.3. |
| James Pedeaston | Sam Tsoutsouvas | Host of Wild Traveler, sharing exaggerated travel stories on WCTR. |
| Marshall Peters | Lowell Dunbar | Reggae DJ at K-JAH West partnered with Johnny Lawton. |
| Sage | Jodie Shawback | Alternative rock DJ known for rebellious and anti-establishment opinions. |
| Tommy Smith | Axl Rose | Legendary K-DST rock station host with a wild personality. |
| Derrick Thackery | Peter Appel | Sports commentator leading the Tight End Zone talk show on WCTR. |
| Marvin Trill | Bob Sevra | Host of Area 53, discussing conspiracies and paranormal theories. |
GTA SA Characters Overview Page
| Character | Category | Unique Description |
|---|---|---|
| Jonas Ackerman | Epsilon Program Member | A Blueberry resident connected to the Epsilon cult and its secretive teachings. |
| Fraser Ashley | Boxing Reference | Irish lightweight boxer mentioned in historical sports records within the game universe. |
| Morgan August | Epsilon Program Member | A Los Santos citizen associated with the spread of Epsilon beliefs. |
| Big Smilky | Media Personality | Owner of an in-game hip-hop archive website focused on rap culture. |
| Henry Bolt | Historical Figure | Military officer linked with Fort Carson legends and mysterious desert stories. |
| Mary Fortune | Epsilon Program Member | Liberty City resident tied to the wider Epsilon belief network. |
| Frank Gold | Sports Reference | American boxer scheduled for a recorded match against Fraser Ashley. |
| Kraff | Epsilon Mythology | Spiritual figure worshipped within Epsilon teachings as a supreme being. |
| Jane Pole | Epsilon Program Member | Minor individual referenced among followers of the Epsilon cult. |
| Rochell’le | Music Industry Figure | Rap artist associated with Madd Dogg and managed by Jimmy Silverman. |
| Jeremy Smith | Epsilon Program Member | San Fierro resident connected with Epsilon ideology and activities. |
| Brian Van Ginsberg | Epsilon Program Member | Carver City citizen linked with the cult’s influence outside San Andreas. |
| Gern Blanston | Minor Mentioned Character | Background reference character included to expand the game world’s realism. |
Excluded GTA San Andreas characters
Here are the GTA San Andreas characters excluded by Rockstar studios.
Officer Carver
He serves as a scrapped GTA San Andreas persona designed to challenge Eddie Pulaski and Frank Tenpenny.
Larry
Larry, a deleted GTA San Andreas cop character, was originally meant for a bike robbery task in “Cop Wheels” featuring CJ.
Poncho
Poncho is a removed GTA San Andreas character who was initially designed as a supporter of corrupt cops Eddie Pulaski and Frank Tenpenny.
Frequently Asked Questions-FAQs
01Who is Carl “CJ” Johnson in GTA San Andreas?
02Who is the voice actor behind CJ in GTA San Andreas?
Conclusion
GTA San Andreas features 100+ characters that shape Carl Johnson’s adventure through allies and foes like Sweet Johnson and Big Smoke,allowing the story easier to follow and understand.
