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GTA: San Andreas
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San Andreas · Characters
GTA San Andreas Characters and Their Voice Actors
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The main character of GTA San Andreas is Carl "CJ" Johnson, voiced by Young Maylay, who comes back to Los Santos in 1992 after his mother is murdered. Around him: his brother Sweet (Faizon Love), his childhood friends Big Smoke (Clifton Powell) and Ryder (MC Eiht), and the corrupt officer Frank Tenpenny (Samuel L. Jackson). Below, 25 characters with who they are, who voices them and the mission where CJ first meets them; what happens to them is hidden behind a spoiler warning.
Character Profiles
Carl "CJ" Johnson
Protagonist
Voiced by Young Maylay
Full profile →Sweet
Grove Street leader
Voiced by Faizon Love
Profile below ↓
Big Smoke
The traitor
Voiced by Clifton Powell
Full profile →Ryder
The other traitor
Voiced by MC Eiht
Full profile →
Officer Tenpenny
Main villain
Voiced by Samuel L. Jackson
Full profile →Kendl Johnson
CJ's sister
Voiced by Yo-Yo
Profile below ↓
Cesar Vialpando
Aztecas leader
Voiced by Clifton Collins Jr.
Profile below ↓Catalina
CJ's partner
Voiced by Cynthia Farrell
Profile below ↓
Woozie
Triad leader
Voiced by James Yaegashi
Profile below ↓Mike Toreno
Government agent
Voiced by James Woods
Profile below ↓
The Truth
Hippie ally
Voiced by Peter Fonda
Profile below ↓The Johnson Family and Grove Street
| Character | Who they are | Voice actor | First mission |
|---|---|---|---|
Carl "CJ" Johnson Himself (the player character) | Protagonist; Grove Street Families member who returns to Los Santos from Liberty City after his mother Beverly is murdered. | Young Maylay (credited as Chris Bellard) | In the Beginning |
Sean "Sweet" Johnson Older brother | Leader of the Grove Street Families. | Faizon Love | Sweet & Kendl |
Kendl Johnson Sister | Girlfriend of Aztecas leader Cesar Vialpando; later helps CJ run the Doherty garage in San Fierro. | Yo-Yo (Yolanda Whittaker) (credited as Yo Yo) | Sweet & Kendl |
Melvin "Big Smoke" Harris Childhood friend | High-ranking Grove Street Families member who secretly allies with the Ballas and C.R.A.S.H. to enter the drug trade; secondary antagonist. | Clifton Powell | Big Smoke |
Lance "Ryder" Wilson Childhood friend | Grove Street Families member who secretly betrays the gang with Big Smoke; tertiary antagonist. | MC Eiht | Sweet & Kendl |
Jeffrey "OG Loc" Cross Neighbour from Grove Street | Aspiring rapper and Grove Street Families associate who works at Burger Shot; CJ sabotages Madd Dogg to launch his career. | Jonathan "Jas" Anderson (credited as Jas Anderson) | OG Loc |
Emmet Old family acquaintance who sells CJ his first gun | Veteran gun dealer from the Seville Boulevard Families in Willowfield. | Eugene Jeter Jr. | |
Denise Robinson Girlfriend | Ganton resident linked to the Grove Street Families; CJ's first girlfriend option. | Heather Alicia Simms | Burning Desire |
C.R.A.S.H.
| Character | Who they are | Voice actor | First mission |
|---|---|---|---|
Frank Tenpenny Blackmails CJ by framing him for the murder of officer Ralph Pendelbury | Corrupt LSPD officer who heads the C.R.A.S.H. unit and blackmails CJ; main antagonist. | Samuel L. Jackson | In the Beginning |
Eddie Pulaski Enemy; enforces C.R.A.S.H.'s hold on CJ | Corrupt C.R.A.S.H. officer, Tenpenny's partner. | Chris Penn | In the Beginning |
Jimmy Hernandez Reluctant member of the unit that blackmails CJ | Rookie C.R.A.S.H. officer who ends up informing Internal Affairs about Tenpenny and Pulaski. | Armando Riesco | In the Beginning |
Allies Across San Andreas
| Character | Who they are | Voice actor | First mission |
|---|---|---|---|
Cesar Vialpando Boyfriend of CJ's sister Kendl | Leader of the Varrios Los Aztecas; CJ's closest ally outside the Families. | Clifton Collins Jr. | Cesar Vialpando |
Catalina Heist partner and short-lived girlfriend | Countryside robber, Cesar's cousin; pulls heists with CJ in Red County and briefly dates him. | Cynthia Farrell | First Date |
Wu Zi Mu "Woozie" Ally and business partner | Blind leader of the Mountain Cloud Boys (San Fierro Triads); runs the Four Dragons Casino in Las Venturas with CJ. | James Yaegashi | Wu Zi Mu |
The Truth Friend; introduces CJ to Zero, Dwaine and Jethro | Aging hippie, marijuana grower and conspiracy theorist living near San Fierro. | Peter Fonda | Body Harvest |
Zero Friend and employee; CJ buys his shop | Electronics expert who owns the Zero RC hobby shop in San Fierro. | David Cross | Wear Flowers in Your Hair |
Madd Dogg Victim of CJ's early jobs, later his client | Famous Los Santos rapper; his rhyme book is stolen and his manager killed by CJ for OG Loc, then CJ becomes his manager. | Ice-T (credited as Ice T) | Madd Dogg |
Kent Paul Ally; introduces CJ to Ken Rosenberg | English music manager of the band The Gurning Chimps; also appears in GTA Vice City. | Danny Dyer | Don Peyote |
Maccer Acquaintance through Kent Paul | Lead singer of The Gurning Chimps. | Shaun Ryder | Don Peyote |
Ken "Rosie" Rosenberg Employer, then ally | Former lawyer managing Caligula's Palace in Las Venturas on behalf of three Mafia families; also appears in GTA Vice City. | William Fichtner (credited as Bill Fitchner) | Don Peyote |
Salvatore Leone Employer; CJ once worked with his son Joey Leone in Liberty City | Don of the Liberty City Leone crime family, part-owner of Caligula's Palace. | Frank Vincent | Freefall |
Millie Perkins Girlfriend (mission-required) | Croupier at Caligula's Palace; CJ dates her to obtain her keycard for the casino heist. | Orfeh | Key to Her Heart |
The Loco Syndicate
| Character | Who they are | Voice actor | First mission |
|---|---|---|---|
Mike Toreno Target, then employer: CJ works for him in exchange for Sweet's release | Undercover government agent posing as the leader of the Loco Syndicate drug ring. | James Woods | Photo Opportunity, in photos; in person in the mission Mike Toreno |
Jizzy B. Employer CJ infiltrates, then target | San Fierro pimp who owns Jizzy's Pleasure Domes; middle-man of the Loco Syndicate. | Charlie Murphy | Photo Opportunity, in photos; in person in the mission Jizzy |
T-Bone Mendez Loco Syndicate associate, then target | Leader of the San Fierro Rifa and muscle of the Loco Syndicate. | Kid Frost | Photo Opportunity |
What Happens to Each Character?
Fates for 24 characters. Open the box only if you have finished End of the Line.
Show what happens to each character (major story spoilers)
- Carl "CJ" Johnson: Alive. After End of the Line his family and friends celebrate at the Johnson house.
- Sean "Sweet" Johnson: Alive. Wounded and jailed after The Green Sabre, released in Home Coming, survives End of the Line.
- Kendl Johnson: Alive.
- Melvin "Big Smoke" Harris: Killed by CJ in a gunfight at his Crack Palace in End of the Line; confesses before dying.
- Lance "Ryder" Wilson: Killed by CJ in Pier 69 (San Fierro), during or before a Speeder boat chase.
- Frank Tenpenny: Dies in End of the Line after the fire truck he escapes in crashes off a bridge over Grove Street.
- Eddie Pulaski: Killed by CJ in High Noon, in the Bone County desert.
- Jimmy Hernandez: Knocked out by Tenpenny with a shovel, then shot dead by Pulaski in High Noon.
- Cesar Vialpando: Alive.
- Catalina: Alive at the end of San Andreas: in Farewell, My Love... she leaves with her new boyfriend Claude for Liberty City. Both wikis date her death to 2001, in GTA III.
- Wu Zi Mu "Woozie": Alive.
- The Truth: Alive.
- Jeffrey "OG Loc" Cross: Not killed in the story: in Cut Throat Business CJ and Madd Dogg chase him down and take back Madd Dogg's rhyme book.
- Madd Dogg: Alive; his career is relaunched with CJ as manager.
- Mike Toreno: Alive; has Sweet released and hands over his last job in Home Coming.
- Zero: Alive.
- Kent Paul: Alive.
- Maccer: Alive.
- Ken "Rosie" Rosenberg: Alive; ends up as Madd Dogg's accountant.
- Salvatore Leone: Alive at the end of San Andreas. Both wikis date his death to 2001, in GTA III (Sayonara Salvatore).
- Jizzy B.: Killed by CJ in Ice Cold Killa.
- T-Bone Mendez: Gunned down by CJ and Cesar in Pier 69.
- Emmet: Alive.
- Millie Perkins: Player-dependent: both wikis note she can be killed (during Key to Her Heart or a date); otherwise alive.
Voices From Film and Music
San Andreas cast film actors and rappers side by side: Samuel L. Jackson, James Woods, Peter Fonda, Chris Penn, William Fichtner and David Cross, with Ice-T, MC Eiht, Kid Frost and Charlie Murphy. The game's credits sometimes use other names: Young Maylay appears as Chris Bellard, Yo-Yo as Yo Yo, and William Fichtner as Bill Fitchner.
More San Andreas on GTAside
All 101 missions in order, with who gives each one, the stats and skills guide, the 92 cheat codes and the game page. Kent Paul and Ken Rosenberg first appeared in GTA Vice City.
Catalina: CJ's Partner and GTA III's Villain
Catalina is Cesar Vialpando's cousin and CJ's robbery partner and lover in the countryside in GTA San Andreas (2004). She leaves with a new boyfriend, Claude, and nine years later becomes the main antagonist of GTA III as leader of the Colombian Cartel. Cynthia Farrell voices her in both games.
Voiced byCynthia Farrell
CousinCesar Vialpando
GamesSan Andreas, GTA III
Dies inThe Exchange (GTA III)
Catalina in San Andreas
| Mission | What happens |
|---|---|
First Date | CJ meets Catalina, who drags him into a string of robberies |
First Base, Gone Courting, Made in Heaven | The robberies with CJ |
Farewell, My Love... | Their relationship over, Catalina has a new boyfriend, Claude; CJ beats him in a race and wins the Doherty garage |
After the break-up, Catalina keeps calling CJ to taunt him about Claude, and leaves San Andreas with him.
Is Catalina in GTA 3?
Yes, as the main antagonist. In GTA III, set in 2001, she betrays and shoots Claude during the bank robbery at the start, leads the Colombian Cartel, kills Miguel and Asuka Kasen, and kidnaps Maria. Claude kills her by shooting down her helicopter in The Exchange, the final mission. More on Claude.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Catalina in GTA 3?
Yes, she is the main antagonist.
Who voices Catalina?
Cynthia Farrell, in San Andreas and GTA III.
Does Catalina die?
Not in San Andreas; Claude kills her in The Exchange, the last mission of GTA III.
Is Claude in San Andreas the same as in GTA 3?
Yes, the same Claude.
Is Catalina related to Cesar?
Yes, she is his cousin.
Cesar Vialpando: CJ's Most Loyal Ally
Cesar Vialpando leads the Varrios Los Aztecas in GTA San Andreas (2004). Kendl's boyfriend and Catalina's cousin, he becomes one of CJ's most loyal allies and is the one who reveals the betrayal of Big Smoke and Ryder. Clifton Collins Jr. voices him.
Voiced byClifton Collins Jr.
GangVarrios Los Aztecas
GirlfriendKendl Johnson
CousinCatalina
Cesar's Missions
| Mission | What happens |
|---|---|
Cesar Vialpando | CJ meets Cesar at a lowrider meeting |
High Stakes, Low-Rider | A lowrider race |
The Green Sabre | Cesar calls CJ, and they see Big Smoke and Ryder with C.R.A.S.H. |
Wu Zi Mu, Farewell, My Love... | Cesar sets up these races; he also introduces CJ to his cousin Catalina |
Photo Opportunity, Pier 69 | In San Fierro, Cesar helps CJ against the Loco Syndicate |
Zeroing In, Test Drive, Customs Fast Track, Puncture Wounds | Car missions for the Doherty garage |
Los Desperados | CJ helps Cesar retake Aztecas turf from the Vagos |
Cesar is also there for Riot and End of the Line, and he is alive at the end. More on Kendl and Catalina.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who voices Cesar in San Andreas?
Clifton Collins Jr.
Is Cesar related to Catalina?
Yes, they are cousins.
Does Cesar die?
No.
Which gang does Cesar lead?
The Varrios Los Aztecas.
How does CJ meet Cesar?
At a lowrider meeting, in the mission Cesar Vialpando.
Kendl Johnson: CJ's Sister and Cesar's Girlfriend
Kendl Johnson is CJ and Sweet's younger sister and Cesar Vialpando's girlfriend in GTA San Andreas (2004). She stands up to Sweet over Cesar, joins CJ in exile and helps run his businesses. The rapper Yo-Yo voices her.
Voiced byYo-Yo
BrothersCJ and Sweet
BoyfriendCesar Vialpando
FateSurvives
Kendl's Story
| Mission | What happens |
|---|---|
Sweet & Kendl | Kendl's first appearance, at the cemetery |
Cesar Vialpando | Kendl argues with Sweet about Cesar |
King in Exile | Kendl joins CJ in Angel Pine |
Deconstruction | Kendl sends CJ after the construction workers who harassed her |
Zeroing In, A Home in the Hills, Riot, End of the Line | Kendl is present in these missions |
Kendl helps turn the Doherty garage in San Fierro into a profitable business. She is alive at the end of the game. More on Cesar and CJ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who voices Kendl in San Andreas?
Yo-Yo.
Who is Kendl's boyfriend?
Cesar Vialpando.
Does Kendl die in San Andreas?
No.
Is Kendl CJ's older or younger sister?
His younger sister.
Mike Toreno: The Agent Behind the Loco Syndicate
Mike Toreno appears to run the Loco Syndicate drug operation in GTA San Andreas (2004), but he is an undercover agent for an unnamed government agency. He survives an apparent death, forces CJ to work for him, and gets Sweet out of jail. James Woods voices him.
Voiced byJames Woods
CoverLoco Syndicate
Real jobGovernment agent
BaseRanch, Tierra Robada
Toreno in San Fierro
| Mission | What happens |
|---|---|
Photo Opportunity | CJ photographs Toreno meeting Ryder, Jizzy B. and T-Bone Mendez |
Mike Toreno | CJ rescues Toreno from the Da Nang Boys |
Pier 69 | Toreno aborts his helicopter landing |
Toreno's Last Flight | CJ shoots down Toreno's helicopter, apparently killing him |
Is Mike Toreno Dead?
No. Toreno later contacts CJ, reveals he is a government agent and promises to free Sweet. He then gives CJ missions such as Monster, Highjack, Interdiction, Verdant Meadows, Learning to Fly, N.O.E., Stowaway and Vertical Bird, and makes him buy the Verdant Meadows airfield.
Does Toreno Keep His Word?
Yes: Sweet is released in Home Coming. More on Sweet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who voices Mike Toreno?
James Woods.
Is Mike Toreno dead?
No, he survives Toreno's Last Flight.
Who does Mike Toreno work for?
An unnamed government agency.
Does Toreno get Sweet out of jail?
Yes, in Home Coming.
Sweet: Leader of the Grove Street Families
Sweet, real name Sean Johnson, is CJ's older brother and the leader of the Grove Street Families in GTA San Andreas (2004). He refuses to let the gang deal crack, is jailed after a Ballas ambush, and gets out thanks to Mike Toreno. Faizon Love voices him.
Real nameSean Johnson
Voiced byFaizon Love
GangGrove Street Families
FateSurvives
Sweet and CJ
Sweet brought CJ, Big Smoke and Ryder into the gang. He blamed CJ for their brother Brian's death, and his refusal to deal crack weakened the gang. The 1992 drive-by that killed their mother was aimed at Sweet. At first he disapproves of Kendl dating Cesar.
Sweet's Story
| Mission | What happens |
|---|---|
Sweet & Kendl | At the cemetery, Sweet berates CJ for missing Brian's funeral |
Tagging Up Turf, Cleaning the Hood, Sweet's Girl, Los Sepulcros, Reuniting the Families | Sweet's early missions to rebuild the gang |
The Green Sabre | Sweet is shot in a Ballas ambush, arrested and imprisoned |
Home Coming | Freed thanks to Mike Toreno, Sweet criticises CJ for leaving Grove Street, and they retake the hood |
End of the Line | Sweet hangs from the fire truck ladder as they chase Tenpenny |
Does Sweet Die?
No, Sweet is alive at the end of the game. More on his brother CJ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who voices Sweet in San Andreas?
Faizon Love.
What is Sweet's real name?
Sean Johnson.
Does Sweet die?
No, he is alive at the end.
Why does Sweet go to jail?
He is arrested after the Ballas ambush in The Green Sabre.
When does Sweet get out of jail?
In Home Coming, thanks to Mike Toreno.
Is Sweet older than CJ?
Yes.
The Truth: San Andreas' Hippie Conspiracy Theorist
The Truth is an aging hippie, marijuana farmer and conspiracy theorist who becomes CJ's ally in GTA San Andreas (2004). His real name is never given. He sends CJ to steal a jetpack from Area 69 and green goo from a military train. Peter Fonda voices him.
Voiced byPeter Fonda
FarmLeafy Hollow, Flint County
VanThe Mothership
FateSurvives
The Truth's Missions
| Mission | What happens |
|---|---|
Body Harvest | Tenpenny introduces CJ to The Truth, who has him steal a combine harvester |
Are You Going to San Fierro? | CJ burns the farm and they drive to San Fierro |
Black Project | CJ steals a jetpack worth $60 million from Area 69 |
Green Goo | CJ steals a mysterious green substance from a military train |
The Truth also brings the mechanics Dwaine, Jethro and Zero to CJ's Doherty garage, and he is there for Riot and End of the Line. He is alive at the end.
Is The Truth in GTA 5?
The Truth does not appear in GTA 5. Peter Fonda, who voices him, died in 2019. More on CJ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who voices The Truth?
Peter Fonda.
What does The Truth ask CJ to steal?
A jetpack from Area 69 and green goo from a military train.
Where does The Truth live?
In Leafy Hollow, Flint County.
Does The Truth die?
No.
What is The Truth's real name?
It is never given.
Wu Zi Mu: The Blind Triad Leader of San Fierro
Wu Zi Mu, known as Woozie or "The Lucky Mole", is the blind leader of the Mountain Cloud Boys, a San Fierro Triad, in GTA San Andreas (2004). He becomes CJ's close friend and his partner in the Four Dragons Casino in Las Venturas. James Yaegashi voices him.
NicknameWoozie
Voiced byJames Yaegashi
GangMountain Cloud Boys
CasinoFour Dragons
Is Woozie Blind?
Yes. Woozie is blind, yet he leads the Mountain Cloud Boys and runs a casino.
Woozie's Missions
| Mission | What happens |
|---|---|
Wu Zi Mu | CJ meets Woozie at a race in Red County |
Mountain Cloud Boys, Ran Fa Li, Lure, Amphibious Assault, The Da Nang Thang | In San Fierro, CJ helps Woozie against the Da Nang Boys |
Toreno's Last Flight, Yay Ka-Boom-Boom | Attacks on the Loco Syndicate, including its crack factory |
Breaking the Bank at Caligula's | Woozie opens the Four Dragons Casino with CJ as co-owner and plans the Caligula's heist |
A Home in the Hills | Woozie helps retake Madd Dogg's mansion |
Woozie is alive at the end of the game. He works with Ran Fa Li and Su Xi Mu. More on CJ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Woozie blind in GTA San Andreas?
Yes.
Who voices Woozie?
James Yaegashi.
Does Woozie die?
No.
What casino does Woozie own?
The Four Dragons Casino, in Las Venturas.
What is Woozie's real name?
Wu Zi Mu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the main character in GTA San Andreas?
Carl "CJ" Johnson, a Grove Street Families member who comes back to Los Santos in 1992, after five years in Liberty City, when his mother is murdered. He is the only playable character of the story, voiced by Young Maylay.
Who voices CJ in GTA San Andreas?
Young Maylay, credited in the game as Chris Bellard.
Who voices Officer Tenpenny?
Samuel L. Jackson. Frank Tenpenny heads the corrupt C.R.A.S.H. unit and is the main antagonist.
Who voices Big Smoke?
Clifton Powell. Big Smoke is CJ's childhood friend and a high-ranking member of the Grove Street Families.
Are Catalina and Salvatore Leone alive at the end of San Andreas?
Yes. Both are alive when San Andreas ends; their deaths are placed in 2001, in GTA III, which is set later.
Who is the main antagonist of GTA San Andreas?
Officer Frank Tenpenny, with Big Smoke and Ryder as the antagonists within the Grove Street Families.