Characters in GTA III

This is a list of Characters in Grand Theft Auto III and is lists the character in order of appearance/mention within the game.

Protagonist

Claude

First appearance: Opening Cutscene Last appearance: As the protagonist, he is always present.

Claude is a criminal who has just arrived in Liberty City with his girlfriend Catalina, the two having met in San Andreas in 1992. Catalina turns on Claude after the pair rob a bank, as she joins the Colombian Cartel. Whilst being transported to Portland by the police, the convoy is attacked and Claude escapes with 8-Ball. The two escape and Claude begins to work for the Leone Family, before working for various other people and criminal organisations. He is the only main protagonist who never speaks.

Main characters

Catalina		Cynthia Farrell		First appearance: Opening Cutscene Last appearance: The Exchange		Catalina is Claude's girlfriend who arrives in Liberty City in 2001. The pair rob a bank, although after the robbery is complete she shoots him and leaves him for dead. She then joins the Colombian Cartel and begins to run the manufacturing of SPANK in the city alongside Miguel, her new partner in crime. She is eventually killed by Claude.
Salvatore Leone		Frank Vincent		First appearance: Salvatore's Called A Meeting Last appearance: Sayonara Salvatore		Salvatore Leone is the Don of the Leone Family, father of Joey Leone, husband of Maria Latore and the owner of Salvatore's Gentlemen's Club in Saint Mark's, Portland, which also acts as his home. He meets Claude when he calls a meeting and has him do a number of jobs, including killing Curly Bob and destroying a ship docked in Portland Harbor, which was being used as a SPANK factory. Salvatore's paranoia gets the better of him and he turns on Claude, who along with Maria Latore join forces with Asuka Kasen and the Yakuza. Asuka has Claude kill Salvatore to prove his links with the Leone Family are over.
Maria Latore (also spelt La Torra)		Debi Mazar		First appearance: Chaperone Last appearance: The Exchange		Maria Latore is the wife of Leone Family Don Salvatore Leone. Her husband has Claude "look after her for the evening", ending in Claude driving her to safety from pursuing LCPD officers. She later tells her husband that she is dating Claude, leading to Salvatore attempting to kill him. Maria and Claude escape and join forces with Asuka Kasen. She is later kidnapped by Catalina, only to be rescued by Claude. She also phones in to Chatterbox FM, complaining to Lazlow about how Claude does not talk and that he is always 'hanging out with the guys'.
Asuka Kasen		Lianna Pai		First appearance: Last Requests Last appearance: Ransom		Asuka Kasen is the co-leader of the Yakuza, alongside her brother Kenji. She has a condo in Newport, Staunton Island. She helps Claude and Maria Latore escape from Portland. She later employs Claude to do various jobs, including killing Salvatore Leone and Tanner. She introduces Claude to her brother and corrupt LCPD officer and Yakuza informant Ray Machowski. After the death of her brother she has Claude, who had killed him in a Cartel Cruiser, attack the Cartel, gaining information from Miguel, who she tortures. Catalina later kills Asuka and Miguel.

Supporting characters

Miguel		Al Espinosa		First appearance: Opening Cutscene Last appearance: Ransom		Miguel is a high-ranking member of the Colombian Cartel and Catalina's new partner in crime. He helps Catalina escape after robbing a bank and is frequently seen with Catalina. Miguel is later shot by Catalina after he gives Claude a package wanted by Donald Love. Catalina flees without him, leaving him with Asuka Kasen, who tortures information out of him. Miguel's information allows Claude to hinder Cartel activities. Catalina eventually returns and kills Miguel and Asuka Kasen.
8-Ball		The Guru		First appearance: Opening Cutscene Last appearance: Bomb Da Base Act II		8-Ball is an explosives expert who owns three bomb shops throughout Liberty City. He and Claude are being transported by the police to Portland, when they escape after the Colombian Cartel attack the convoy. He had been convicted on eighty-five charges of owning a firearm without a licence. 8-Ball helps Claude get work with the Leone Family and later to destroy a ship docked in Portland Harbor, which was being used by the Cartel as a SPANK factory.
Luigi Goterelli		Joe Pantoliano		First appearance: Luigi's Girls Last appearance: Salvatore's Called a Meeting		Luigi Goterelli is a businessman who owns Sex Club Seven, a bar in the Red Light District, Portland, Liberty City. He is a high-ranking member of the Leone Family and a friend of 8-Ball, allowing 8-Ball to get Claude work with Luigi. Luigi also acts as a pimp for various prostitutes on Portland.
Joey Leone		Michael Rapaport		First appearance: Drive Misty For Me Last appearance: Salvatore's Called a Meeting		Joey Leone is the son of Leone Family Don Salvatore Leone and runs a garage in Trenton, Portland in Liberty City. Claude is introduced to Joey when Luigi Goterelli has him drive Misty to his garage. Joey employs Claude to do various jobs, including killing Mike Forelli and Lee Chong, and introduces him to Toni Cipriani.
Toni Cipriani		Michael Madsen		First appearance: Cipriani's Chauffeur Last appearance: Blow Fish		Toni Cipriani is a caporegime of the Leone Family and helps to run his mother's restaurant located in Saint Mark's, Portland, where he also lives. He is introduced to Claude by Joey Leone and has Claude attack the Triads, including the murder of three Triad war lords and the destruction of a Triad-owned factory. Toni also phones in to Chatterbox FM, discussing his mothers criticisms of him with Lazlow.
Kenji Kasen		Les J.N. Mau		First appearance: Under Surveillance Last appearance: Waka-Gashira Wipeout		Kenji Kasen is the co-leader of the Yakuza, alongside his sister Asuka. He is introduced to Claude by his sister and has him do various jobs, including busting Kanbu out of jail and taking him to a safehouse. He is later killed by Claude, on orders from Donald Love, although he kills Kenji in a Cartel Cruiser, in order to start a war between the Yakuza and Cartel.
Ray Machowski		Robert Loggia		First appearance: Payday For Ray Last appearance: Marked Man		Ray Machowski is a corrupt LCPD police officer and an informant to the Yakuza. He is introduced to Claude by Asuka Kasen. Ray employs Claude to do various jobs, including the murder of his former partner Leon McAffrey, who was going to give evidence against Machowski. Machowski also introduces Claude to Donald Love. He later has Claude help him flee the city, by driving to Francis International Airport, where he flies to Miami, Florida.
Donald Love		Kyle MacLachlan		First appearance: Liberator Last appearance: Decoy		Donald Love is a businessman, media mogul and real estate developer. He owns Love Media, which owns "900 radio stations, 300 television stations, 4 networks, 3 satellites, (and) 10 senators", which includes Flashback 95.6, Chatterbox FM, Head Radio and Double Clef FM. The group also owns the Liberty Tree newspaper and may own the Bitch'n' Dog Food Factory in Trenton. Donald Love lives in an apartment in south Bedford Point, Staunton Island and is introduced to Claude by Ray Machowski. Love has Claude to various jobs, including rescuing the Old Oriental Gentleman and allow Love to retrieve a package, with Claude acting as a decoy. He later disappears, leaving only an open box on his apartments roof. He can also be heard on Chatterbox FM.

Minor characters

Old Oriental Gentleman		None		First appearance: Opening Cutscene Last appearance: Escort Service		The Old Oriental Gentleman is arrested at Francis International Airport after arriving in Liberty City on a private jet plane from an "unknown departure point somewhere in east Asia", for "failing to satisfy the INS that he had a valid reason for entering the country" and having no proper travel documents. Whilst being transported to Portland by the police, he is kidnapped by the Colombian Cartel, the attack allowing Claude and 8-Ball to escape. Claude later rescues him and returns him to Donald Love.
Mickey Hamfists		Unknown		First appearance: Luigi's Girls Last appearance: The Fuzz Ball		Mickey Hamfists is the co-manager of Sex Club Seven, alongside the clubs owner Luigi Goterelli. He acts as a bodyguard for Luigi. Mickey is described in police records as a "moron". Hamfists also has previous convictions for assault, racketeering, and multiple involvements with narcotics.
Misty		Kim Gurney		First appearance: Luigi's Girls Last appearance: Mike Lips Last Lunch		Misty is a prostitute who works for Luigi Goterelli and resides in an apartment in Hepburn Heights, Portland. She is Joey Leone's "regular girl". She is introduced to Claude when he drives her from Sweeney General Hospital to Sex Club Seven, and later drives her to Joey's Garage in Trenton.
Mike Forelli		None		Only appearance: Mike Lips Last Lunch		Mike "Lips" Forelli is a high ranking figure in the Forelli Family. He is killed by Claude on orders from Joey Leone, rigging a car bomb to his car. His death is part of the continued attempts by the Leone Family to push the Forelli Family out of the city.
Lee Chong		None		Only appearance: Farewell 'Chunky' Lee Chong		Lee Chong is a member of the Triads who owns a noodle stand in the Chinatown, Portland. He is selling SPANK through the stands, leading to his death at the hands of Claude, on orders from Joey Leone.
Marty Chonks		Chris Phillips		First appearance: The Crook Last appearance: Her Lover		Marty Chonks is the husband of Mrs. Chonks and seemingly the owner of the Bitch'n' Dog Food Factory, which Love Media also claims to own. Marty is losing money through the business, likely due to the ban on dogs in the city. He employs Claude to do four jobs, which include driving his bank manager, two thieves, his wife and her lover, Carlos, to his factory. He kills all but Carlos, who kills him and claims to be taking over his factory.
Mrs. Chonks		Unknown		Only appearance: The Wife		Mrs Chonks is the wife of Marty Chonks. She lives an expensive lifestyle, which is draining her husbands funds. Marty has Claude drive her from the Classic Nails store in the Red Light District to the Bitch'n' Dog Food Factory in Trenton, where Chonks kills her and turns her into dog food.
Carlos		Unknown		Only appearance: Her Lover		Carlos is the boyfriend of Mrs. Chonks. He is owed money by Marty Chonks and decides to collect his pay when Marty had Claude drive him the Bitch'n' Dog Food Factory. Marty, who had intended on killing Carlos, was killed by Carlos using a shotgun. Carlos can be killed by the player.
El Burro		Chris Phillips		First appearance: Turismo Last appearance: Big'n'Veiny		El Burro is the leader of the Diablos gang who employs Claude to do various jobs, including killing Leone Family members with an exploding ice cream van and retrieving some adult magazines. He is believed to be operating a pornography magazine publishing business, possibly XXXMags.
Ma Cipriani		Sondra James		First appearance: Taking Out the Laundry Last appearance: Triads and Tribulations		Ma Cipriani is the mother of Toni Cipriani and the owner of Momma's Restaurante. She constantly tells Toni that he is not close to being the man his father was. She informs Claude on two occasions of letters Toni has left for him.
Chico		Hunter Platin		Only appearance: Chaperone		Chico is a drug dealer based on Portland. He frequently sells drugs to Maria Latore and informs her of an illegal party taking place in Atlantic Quays, which is later broken up by the Liberty City Police Department.
Curly Bob		Hunter Platin		Only appearance: Cutting the Grass		Curly Bob is a bartender at Sex Club Seven in the Red Light District. He is addicted to SPANK and begins to sell Leone Family plans to the Colombian Cartel in exchange for SPANK. He is killed by Claude on orders from Salvatore Leone.
Tanner		None		Only appearance: Two-Faced Tanner		Tanner is an undercover police officer, posing as Asuka Kasen's driver. He is killed by Claude, on orders from Asuka after she discovers he is a police officer.
Kanbu		None		Only appearance: Kanbu Bust-out		Kanbu is a high-ranking member of the Yakuza who is busted out of prison by Claude, on orders from Kenji Kasen. Claude then drives Kanbu to the Hyaku Dojo on Staunton Island.
Leon McAffrey		None		Only appearance: Silence the Sneak		Leon McAffrey is a corrupt police officer who was previously the partner of Ray Machowski. After discovering that Ray has also become corrupt, he turns state evidence in exchange for a dishonorable discharge. Ray sends Claude to torch McAffrey's safehouse in Newport, after which McAffrey escapes, so Claude chases him down and kills him.
Phil Cassidy		Hunter Platin		Only appearance: Arms Shortage		Phil Cassidy, known as 'The One-Armed Bandit', is a businessman, owning Phil's Army Surplus in Rockford, and is a friend of Ray Machowski. He sells military hardware, which at one point the Colombian Cartel attempt to take, with Claude fending them off. Phil claims to have lost his arm in conflict, although it is revealed in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City that he lost his arm when his boomshine exploded.
King Courtney (Screenshot from GTA Advance)		Walter Mudu		First appearance: Bling-Bling Scramble Last appearance: Kingdom Come		King Courtney is the leader of the Uptown Yardies gang who employs Claude to do various jobs, including attacking the Diablos. He later turns on Claude and begins working with Catalina, having his gang sell SPANK throughout the city.
D-Ice		Walter Mudu		First appearance: Uzi Money Last appearance: Rumble		D-Ice is the leader of the Red Jacks, a sub-group of the Southside Hoods. He employs Claude to do various jobs, which focus around attacking the Purple Nines, also of the Southside Hoods, who are selling SPANK on Shoreside Vale. D-Ice has Claude wipe out the Purple Nines.
D-Ice's Brother		Unknown		Only appearance: Rumble		D-Ice's Brother is the brother of Red Jacks leader D-Ice and a member of the Southside Hoods. He assists Claude in killing the last remaining members of the Purple Nines, the other half of the Southside Hoods.

Deleted characters

Butler		Unknown		The Butler was a character dropped during the development of GTA III. Nothing is known about the Butler or his scheduled role in the game.
Curtly		Curtis L. McClarin		Curtly was a character dropped during the development of GTA III. Nothing is known about Curtly although some speculate that he may have linked to Darkel.
Darkel		Bill Fiore		Darkel was to be a character in GTA III but was dropped during development. He was scheduled to be a revolutionary urchin who vowed to bring down the city's economy. One of Darkel's missions remains in the game, although the mission is given by El Burro and called I Scream, You Scream. It is believed Darkel would given Rampage-esque missions to Claude. A big rumour going around was that Darkel was removed from the final version of the game due to the 9/11 attacks. However, Rockstar disproved that rumour claiming he was removed long before 9/11.
Novy		Unknown		Novy was a character dropped during the development of GTA III. His purpose is unknown, but he is believed to be based on Tom Novy.