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L.A. Noire
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L.A. Noire · Characters
L.A. Noire Characters: Cole Phelps, His Partners and the Cast
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The main character of L.A. Noire is Cole Phelps, a decorated Marine turned LAPD detective, played by Aaron Staton. He works five desks with five partners: Ralph Dunn, Stefan Bekowsky, Rusty Galloway, Roy Earle and Herschel Biggs. The key figures around him are his war rival Jack Kelso (Gil McKinney), singer Elsa Lichtmann (Erika Heynatz) and real estate magnate Leland Monroe (John Noble). The performances were recorded with MotionScan, a facial capture technology.
Character Profiles
Cole Phelps
Protagonist
Played by Aaron Staton
Full profile →Jack Kelso
Insurance investigator
Played by Gil McKinney
Profile below ↓
Rusty Galloway
Homicide partner
Played by Michael McGrady
Profile below ↓
Roy Earle
Vice partner
Played by Adam J. Harrington
Profile below ↓
Herschel Biggs
Arson partner
Played by Keith Szarabajka
Profile below ↓
Elsa Lichtmann
Jazz singer
Played by Erika Heynatz
Profile below ↓Cole Phelps and His Partners
| Character | Role | Actor |
|---|---|---|
Cole Phelps | Protagonist, war hero turned LAPD detective | Aaron Staton |
Ralph Dunn | Partner on Patrol | Rodney Scott |
Stefan Bekowsky | Partner on the Traffic desk | Sean McGowan |
Rusty Galloway | Partner on the Homicide desk | Michael McGrady |
Roy Earle | Partner on the Vice desk, corrupt | Adam J. Harrington |
Herschel Biggs | Partner on the Arson desk, a former Marine | Keith Szarabajka |
Key Characters of the Story
| Character | Role | Actor |
|---|---|---|
Jack Kelso | Cole's rival from the war, playable in some Arson cases | Gil McKinney |
Elsa Lichtmann | German jazz singer, Cole's lover | Erika Heynatz |
Leland Monroe | Real estate magnate behind the Suburban Redevelopment Fund | John Noble |
Dr. Harlan Fontaine | Psychiatrist and member of the fund | Peter Blomquist |
Curtis Benson | Insurance executive and member of the fund | Jim Abele |
Ira Hogeboom | Traumatised former Marine behind the fires | J. Marvin Campbell |
Courtney Sheldon | Former Marine and medical student | Chad Todhunter |
Mickey Cohen | The real-life gangster | Patrick Fischler |
Garrett Mason | The Homicide desk's serial killer | Andrew Lukich |
Monroe, Fontaine and Benson belong to the Suburban Redevelopment Fund, the conspiracy at the heart of the story. How it unfolds, case by case, is on our L.A. Noire cases page.
LAPD Captains and Experts
| Character | Role | Actor |
|---|---|---|
Capt. Gordon Leary | Head of Traffic | Ned Vaughn |
Capt. James Donnelly | Head of Homicide | Andrew Connolly |
Lt. Archie Colmyer | Head of Vice | Steve Rankin |
Capt. Lachlan McKelty | Head of Arson | Randy Oglesby |
Dr. Malcolm Carruthers | Coroner | Andy Umberger |
Ray Pinker | Crime scene technician | JD Cullum |
More L.A. Noire on GTAside
Cole's full story on the Cole Phelps profile, and 1947 Los Angeles on our L.A. Noire map. The L.A. Noire game page covers the release, the remaster and the VR Case Files.
Elsa Lichtmann: The Singer at the Heart of the Scandal
Elsa Lichtmann is a German jazz singer at The Blue Room in L.A. Noire (2011). Her affair with Cole Phelps ends his career on the Vice desk, and her questions about a friend's death drive the Arson story. She survives the ending. Erika Heynatz plays her, and Claudia Brücken provides her singing voice.
Played byErika Heynatz
Singing voiceClaudia Brücken
Sings atThe Blue Room
FateSurvives
Who Is Elsa?
Elsa fled to the United States after her parents were killed by the Nazis, and she struggles with drug addiction. Her close friend Lou Buchwalter died in an accident at the Elysian Fields construction site.
Elsa's Story
| Case | What happens |
|---|---|
The Fallen Idol (Traffic) | Roy Earle introduces Cole to Elsa at The Blue Room |
Manifest Destiny (Vice) | Cole questions Elsa and follows her home, and their affair begins |
House of Sticks (Arson) | Elsa refuses the insurance settlement over Lou's death and asks Jack Kelso to investigate |
A Different Kind of War (Arson) | Dr. Harlan Fontaine is killed, Elsa is taken into the Los Angeles River tunnels, and Kelso and Cole rescue her |
What Happens to Elsa?
Elsa survives. At Cole's funeral, she walks out in disgust during Roy Earle's eulogy, and Kelso asks Herschel Biggs to go after her. More on Jack Kelso and Roy Earle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Elsa in L.A. Noire?
Erika Heynatz.
Does Erika Heynatz sing Elsa's songs?
No, Claudia Brücken does.
What happens to Elsa in L.A. Noire?
She is taken into the tunnels, rescued, and walks out of Cole's funeral.
Does Elsa die in L.A. Noire?
No.
When does Cole's affair with Elsa start?
On the Vice desk, in Manifest Destiny.
Herschel Biggs: Cole's Last Partner and the Narrator
Herschel Biggs is a reclusive LAPD Arson detective, a former Marine who served in World War I, and Cole Phelps' last partner in L.A. Noire (2011). He also narrates the opening of the game. Reluctant at first, he grows to respect Cole. Keith Szarabajka plays him.
Played byKeith Szarabajka
DeskArson
PastWorld War I Marine
RoleNarrator
Biggs and Cole
Biggs does not want a partner, but works the Arson desk with Cole, under Captain Lachlan McKelty, and comes to respect him. He is Cole's fifth and final partner. More on Cole Phelps.
Biggs' Cases
| Case | What happens |
|---|---|
The Gas Man | His first case with Cole |
A Walk in Elysian Fields | The Morelli family fire, where Biggs reacts to the victims being called evidence |
Nicholson Electroplating | An Arson case with Cole |
A Different Kind of War | Biggs goes to Dr. Fontaine's office with Cole and covers Kelso and the tunnels |
What Happens to Biggs?
Biggs survives. At Cole's funeral, Jack Kelso asks him to go after Elsa, and the two have a final exchange about Cole. More on Jack Kelso.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cole's partner in Arson?
Herschel Biggs.
Who narrates L.A. Noire?
Herschel Biggs, played by Keith Szarabajka.
Who plays Herschel Biggs?
Keith Szarabajka.
Did Herschel Biggs serve in the war?
Yes, as a Marine in World War I.
Does Herschel Biggs die?
No, he is at Cole's funeral.
Jack Kelso: The Marine Who Takes Over From Cole
Jack Kelso is a former US Marine sergeant and a claims investigator at California Fire and Life in L.A. Noire (2011), later an investigator for the District Attorney. A long-time rival of Cole Phelps since the war, he becomes the playable character for part of the Arson desk and survives the ending. Gil McKinney plays him.
Played byGil McKinney
PastMarine sergeant, WWII
JobInsurance investigator
FateSurvives
Kelso and Cole Phelps
Kelso met Phelps at Officer Candidate School, which Kelso dropped out of, and fought at Okinawa. The two were long-time rivals. After the war, Kelso knew about the theft of surplus morphine from the ship that brought the unit home, but refused to take part. More on Cole Phelps.
Kelso's Cases
| Case | What happens |
|---|---|
Manifest Destiny (Vice) | Phelps tracks Kelso down and brings him in for questioning |
House of Sticks (Arson) | Playable: Elsa refuses an insurance settlement over Lou Buchwalter's death and asks Kelso to investigate; he finds Elysian Fields uses inferior materials and his boss Curtis Benson knowingly insures them, then escapes an ambush |
A Polite Invitation (Arson) | Playable: Kelso confronts Benson, searches the Hall of Records and joins the assault on Leland Monroe's mansion |
A Different Kind of War (Arson) | Kelso finds the arsonist's hideout and identifies him as the ex-Marine Ira Hogeboom |
What Happens to Jack Kelso?
Kelso goes into the Los Angeles River tunnels with Phelps, rescues Elsa and shoots Hogeboom as a mercy kill. He escapes with Elsa, while Phelps is swept away. At Phelps' funeral, he asks Herschel Biggs to go after Elsa. More on Elsa Lichtmann.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Jack Kelso?
Gil McKinney.
Is Jack Kelso playable in L.A. Noire?
Yes, in three Arson cases, including House of Sticks and A Polite Invitation.
Did Kelso steal the morphine?
No, he knew about the theft and refused to take part.
Does Jack Kelso die?
No, he escapes the tunnels with Elsa.
Who does Kelso kill in the tunnels?
Ira Hogeboom, as a mercy kill.
Roy Earle: The Corrupt Detective Who Betrays Cole
Roy Earle is a corrupt LAPD Vice detective and Cole Phelps' partner on the Vice desk in L.A. Noire (2011). He exposes Cole's affair with Elsa Lichtmann to cover up a scandal, earning a place in the Suburban Redevelopment Fund. He is never shown being punished. Adam J. Harrington plays him.
Played byAdam J. Harrington
DeskVice
PartnerCole Phelps
SideSuburban Redevelopment Fund
Earle's Cases With Cole
| Case | What happens |
|---|---|
The Driver's Seat (Traffic) | Earle's first appearance |
The Fallen Idol (Traffic) | Earle protects a Vice informant, takes Cole to The Blue Room, introduces him to Elsa and slaps her |
The Black Caesar (Vice) | Their first case as partners |
Manifest Destiny, The Set Up (Vice) | More Vice cases together |
A Different Kind of War (Arson) | At Courtney Sheldon's body, Cole draws his gun on Earle |
Earle is Cole's fourth partner, after Ralph Dunn, Stefan Bekowsky and Rusty Galloway.
How Does Roy Earle Betray Cole?
To draw attention away from a prostitution scandal, Earle exposes Cole's affair with Elsa, and he is rewarded with a place in the Suburban Redevelopment Fund. During the Arson desk, he warns Cole to stay away from the fund and Leland Monroe. More on Cole Phelps.
Does Roy Earle Get Punished?
No punishment is shown. Earle delivers the eulogy at Cole's funeral.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Roy Earle?
Adam J. Harrington.
Who is Cole's partner in Vice?
Roy Earle.
Does Roy Earle get punished?
No punishment is shown; he gives the eulogy at Cole's funeral.
Who exposed Cole's affair?
Roy Earle.
Is Roy Earle in the Suburban Redevelopment Fund?
Yes.
What car does Roy Earle drive?
A red Cadillac Series 62 convertible.
Rusty Galloway: The Veteran of the Homicide Desk
Finbarr "Rusty" Galloway is a veteran LAPD Homicide detective and Cole Phelps' partner on the Homicide desk in L.A. Noire (2011). A heavy drinker who hates his first name, he stays friendly with Cole even after the scandal. Michael McGrady plays him.
Real nameFinbarr Galloway
Played byMichael McGrady
DeskHomicide
CatchphraseRusty's Razor
Who Is Rusty Galloway?
Rusty was Floyd Rose's partner before Cole, drinks heavily, has been divorced several times and has a daughter. He is Cole's third partner, and Homicide is run by Captain James Donnelly.
Rusty's Cases With Cole
| Case | What happens |
|---|---|
Upon Reflection (Patrol) | A brief appearance with Floyd Rose |
The Red Lipstick Murder | Their first Homicide case together |
The Golden Butterfly, The Silk Stocking Murder, The White Shoe Slaying, The Studio Secretary Murder, The Quarter Moon Murders | The rest of the Homicide cases with Cole |
A Different Kind of War | Rusty investigates Dr. Harlan Fontaine's murder and calls Cole |
The Homicide cases echo the Black Dahlia murder: the wrong men are arrested, the real killer, Garrett Mason (spelled Garret by the L.A. Noire Wiki), is found and killed, and his identity is covered up because he is related to a powerful politician. More on Cole Phelps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cole's partner in Homicide?
Rusty Galloway.
Who plays Rusty Galloway?
Michael McGrady.
What is Rusty Galloway's real first name?
Finbarr.
Who is the Black Dahlia killer in L.A. Noire?
Garrett Mason, found and killed by Cole.
Who runs the Homicide desk in L.A. Noire?
Captain James Donnelly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the main character in L.A. Noire?
Cole Phelps, an LAPD detective and Marine veteran played by Aaron Staton.
Who plays Cole Phelps?
Aaron Staton.
Who are Cole's partners in L.A. Noire?
Ralph Dunn on Patrol, Stefan Bekowsky on Traffic, Rusty Galloway on Homicide, Roy Earle on Vice and Herschel Biggs on Arson.
Who is the villain in L.A. Noire?
There is no single villain: the Homicide killer Garrett Mason, the Suburban Redevelopment Fund led by Leland Monroe, and Cole's corrupt partner Roy Earle.
Who plays Jack Kelso?
Gil McKinney.
Is Mickey Cohen in L.A. Noire?
Yes, the real-life gangster appears, played by Patrick Fischler.