User:JayJ47/List of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas characters

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is an open world action adventure video game that was first released in 2004. San Andreas is part of the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, developed by Rockstar Games and is the fourth installment in the third generation of the series. As with previous installments, San Andreas features several major, supporting and minor characters. Many high-profile celebrities have voiced these characters in the game including crime film veterans, Samuel L. Jackson, James Woods, Frank Vincent and Peter Fonda and prominent west coast rappers, MC Eiht, Ice-T, Frost and The Game.

Carl "CJ" Johnson
Introduced in: Introduction; airport cut scene

Carl "CJ" Johnson is the protagonist, anti-hero and player-controlled character in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He is voiced by Young Maylay.

Prologue
In 1987, five years prior to the events of the game, CJ witnesses the death of his brother, Brian. Soon afterwards, CJ decides to leave his gang life behind by moving to Liberty City, where he begins working with Joey Leone in the car theft business.

Return to San Andreas
The game's main storyline begins with CJ's return to Los Santos following the death of his mother, Beverly Johnson. Upon his arrival, CJ is confronted by Officers Frank Tenpenny, Eddie Pulaski and Jimmy Hernandez, three members of C.R.A.S.H. (Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums). Tenpenny and his associates warn CJ early on that they intend to frame him for the murder of police officer Ralph Pendlebury, whom C.R.A.S.H. killed to prevent him from exposing their illegal activities. They also force CJ to work for them in exchange for his safety and the safety of his loved ones.

After his confrontation with C.R.A.S.H, CJ returns to Grove Street where he is reunited with his siblings, Sweet and Kendl Johnson and his childhood friends, Big Smoke and Ryder. CJ learns that his gang, the Grove Street Families lost much of their power and influence to their rival gangs, in particular The Ballas during his absence. Shortly after his return, CJ aids his allies in re-establishing the Grove Street Families' dominance by expelling crack dealers, acquiring weapons, and regaining lost gang territory. CJ also aids his friend OG Loc in jump starting his rapping career (destroying the career of successful rapper Madd Dogg in the process) and is later introduced to Kendl's boyfriend Cesar Vialpando, the leader of the Varrios Los Aztecas street gang.

However, the Grove Street Families' resurgence is short lived as CJ discovers through Cesar that Big Smoke and Ryder have betrayed the gang by forming alliances with C.R.A.S.H. and their rival gang, The Ballas. Sweet is ambushed by a group of Ballas on that same day and is wounded in the subsequent gunfight. CJ arrives on the scene and saves his brother's life but both are arrested by the police. Sweet is trialed, convicted of several felonies and sentenced to life in prison whilst CJ is taken by C.R.A.S.H. and left in the country side. In the aftermath of these events, the Grove Street Families lose their power and influence once more and subsequently relinquish all of their territory to their rival gangs.

Exhile, New Alliances and Business Ventures
During his time in the countryside, CJ is introduced to "The Truth", he aids Cesar's cousin Catalina in performing a number of robberies and he takes part in two illegal street races where he meets and befriends Wu Zi Mu. After his brief stay in the countryside, CJ and his associates head north for San Fierro, where they establish a vehicle chop shop and dealership. CJ also works for the local Triads (strengthening his ties with Wu Zi Mu and Ran Fa Li in the process) and infiltrates and destroys San Andreas' largest drug cartel, the Loco Syndicate. With some help from Cesar and The Triads, CJ also exacts revenge on his former friend Ryder by killing him during his meeting with the Loco Syndicate.

Following the destruction of the Loco Syndicate, CJ is contacted by one of its members Mike Toreno, now revealed to be an undercover government agent. CJ begins working for Toreno in exchange for Sweet's release from prison and subsequently ventures into the desert and Las Venturas. During this time, CJ acquires a pilot's license, he aids Wu Zi Mu in running The Four Dragons Casino and he saves Madd Dogg's life by intervening in his attempted suicide. CJ also kills Eddie Pulaski after a lengthy car chase in the desert. At the conclusion of these events, CJ and his associates begin preparing for their return to Los Santos.

Return to Los Santos
Upon his return to Los Santos, CJ regains control of Madd Dogg's mansion and is later reunited with Sweet after his release from prison. However, Sweet refuses to leave their gang life behind and convinces CJ into re-establishing the Grove Street Families once more. Together, they take back Grove Street and begin slowly rebuilding their gang by removing drug dealers and drug addicts from the streets. Meanwhile, Tenpenny is tried for his crimes but all charges are dropped due to a lack of evidence, resulting in a city-wide riot. In all the chaos, CJ aids Cesar in re-establishing his gang, The Varrios Los Aztecas before confronting (and ultimately killing) Big Smoke at his crack palace. Afterwards, CJ pursues Tenpenny in a thrilling car chase which ultimately ends with Tenpenny crashing in front of the Johnson House. CJ prepares to shoot Tenpenny with his Desert Eagle, but Sweet stops him as Tenpenny is already dying from his injuries and shooting him would leave evidence behind. With Tenpenny now dead, any loose ends in CJ's life are resolved and the city returns to its normal state.

At the conclusion of the game, Madd Dogg visits the Johnson house and announces that he has received a gold record for his new album. Everyone inside discusses how they must now shift their focus to maintaining the gang and their business ventures and otherwise keep a low profile. CJ then gets up and leaves the house. Kendl then asks where he's going, and he says, "Fittin' to hit the block, see what's happening," and the game's main storyline ends.

Frank Tenpenny
Introduced In: Introduction; taxi arrest cut scene

Died in: "End of the Line"

Frank Tenpenny is the primary antagonist in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He is voiced by Samuel L. Jackson. .

Tenpenny is a corrupt police officer of the Los Santos Police Department (LSPD) and a member of C.R.A.S.H. (Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums). Prior to the events of the game, Tenpenny and his associate, Eddie Pulaski force their new recruit, Jimmy Hernandez to murder their colleague, Office Ralph Pendelbury after Pendelbury tries to expose their corruption. Tenpenny also forms an alliance with The Ballas and he convinces Big Smoke to betray the Grove Street Families.

Tenpenny and his associates confront Carl "CJ" Johnson shortly after his return to Los Santos. They tell him that they intend to frame him for murdering Officer Ralph Pendelbury and force him to work for them by threatening his safety and the safety of his loved ones. When CJ and his brother Sweet are arrested by the police following a gunfight with The Ballas, Tenpenny and Pulaski kidnap CJ to ensure that he can keep working for them. They leave him in the countryside with orders to kill an FBI witness. In the aftermath of these events, Tenpenny and Pulaski continue to use CJ to kill or discredit people who threaten to expose the true nature of C.R.A.S.H. Whilst in Las Ventuas, CJ is contacted by Tenpenny and asked to meet him in the desert. During this meeting, Tenpenny hits Hernandez in the back of the head with a shovel for reporting C.R.A.S.H. to Internal Affairs and leaves CJ with the task of digging Hernandez's grave whilst being held at gunpoint by Pulaski.

Sometime later, Tenpenny is charged for racketeering, corruption, possession and use of narcotics and numerous sexual assaults. However due to a lack of evidence, all charges are dropped, resulting in a city-wide riot in Los Santos. After CJ kills Big Smoke, Tenpenny shows up with a shotgun and a suitcase full of drug money. He his plans to flee the city by plane with the help of some new recruits in the force who are ready for him to "open their eyes" to his way of thinking. Tenpenny then leads CJ and Sweet on a chase through the city which ultimately ends with Tenpenny crashing his vehicle in front of the Johnson House. A bloodied and broken Tenpenny crawls out calling for backup. Realizing no one is coming, he curses everyone, including the police force. He then dies from his injuries (making him the first antagonist not to be killed directly by the protagonist). CJ and the rest of his crew examine the body, and CJ moves in with his pistol to "make sure it's over". Sweet stops him, saying that there's no need to leave any evidence. "Just a cop killed in a traffic accident" says Sweet. As the others walk away from Tenpenny, Carl approaches him slowly, taps his dead body with his foot, and says sarcastically, "See you around... officer".

GamePro ranks Frank Tenpenny 35th on their list of most diabolical video game villains of all time, saying "You gotta respect a guy who takes a stand and says, "No, man. We can't all just get along."".

Melvin "Big Smoke" Harris
Introduced in: "Big Smoke"

Killed in: "End of the Line"

Melvin "Big Smoke" Harris is the secondary antagonist in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He is voiced by Clifton Powell.

Big Smoke is introduced as a high-ranking member of the Grove Street Families and one of CJ's childhood friends. Prior to the events of the game, Big Smoke had tried to convince Sweet to allow the Grove Street Families to sell hard drugs but Sweet refused to do so as he did not want his gang and community to suffer the consequences. However, Big Smoke does succeed in swaying Ryder (another high-ranking member of the Grove Street Families) to his side during a private meeting.

When CJ returns to Los Santos, he is initially unaware of Big Smoke's betrayal. However, there were several signs suggesting that Big Smoke had become disloyal to the gang. He moved out of Grove Street to live in a new house in Idlewood (Ballas territory) and rumours suggested that he had purchased the house with drug money. When he, CJ, Sweet and Ryder were ambushed by a ballas car, he did not aid his allies in fighting against their attackers. C.R.A.S.H appeared twice at his home in Idlewood and he was constantly involved in confrontations with other gangs such as the Russian Mafia.

CJ eventually discovers (through Cesar Vialpando) that Big Smoke has betrayed the gang after witnessing a meeting between him, C.R.A.S.H and The Ballas. A green sabre was also seen during the meeting, suggesting that Big Smoke and his new associates had been involved in the murder of Beverly Johnson, CJ's mother.

During CJ's exhile from Los Santos, Big Smoke formed an alliance with the Loco Sindicate (San Andreas' largest drug cartel) and became OG Loc's manager. He hides his criminal activities through his alliance with C.R.A.S.H and projects a positive public image by establishing an orphanage. At the height of his power, Smoke lives in a large, heavily fortified crack den, referred to as a "crack fortress", located deep within Ballas territory. He lives in luxury and has the full protection of the Ballas and Vagos, who have unrivaled control over the streets. However, as time progresses, Smoke becomes increasingly paranoid and stops leaving his home because he believes that someone will try to take over his business.

Amid a city-wide riot, CJ confronts Big Smoke in his crack palace, where the pair engage in a lengthy gunfight which eventually ends with Big Smoke's death. As he dies, Smoke explains that he betrayed the gang because he finally saw an opportunity to become rich and famous, and took it without caring about the consequences; Smoke says that because of his greedy nature, he had no choice in the matter. With his dying breath, Big Smoke boasts, "Everyone´s gonna remember my name, Big Smoke!"

In earlier previews of San Andreas, Big Smoke was seen wearing a white basketball jersey with no hat; his design was changed in the final version. However, a statue of Smoke in his "crack palace" has him wearing the outfit he sported in the previews.

Lance "Ryder" Wilson
Introduced in: "Sweet & Kendl"

Killed in: "Pier 69"

Lance "Ryder" Wilson serves as a tertiary antagonist in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Ryder's physical appearance strongly resembles that of the late rapper, Eazy E. Ryder is voiced by MC Eiht.

Prior to the events of the game, Big Smoke approaches Ryder with an offer to betray the Grove Street Families in order to break into the drug trade. After little convincing, Ryder accepts. Ryder is introduced as a high-ranking member of the Grove Street Families and one of CJ's childhood friends. Shortly after his return to Los Santos, CJ aids Ryder in acquiring firearms and weaponry for the Grove Street Families from a variety of locations including the home of a heavily armed war veteran (Colonel Fuhrberger), a forcibly stopped ammunition train and a National Guard weapons depot. As CJ continues to re-establish himself within the ranks of the Grove Street Families, Ryder becomes increasingly jealous of him, despite his alliance with The Ballas. CJ eventually discovers (through Cesar Vialpando) that Ryder has betrayed him and their gang after witnessing a meeting between him, Big Smoke, C.R.A.S.H. and The Ballas. A green sabre was also seen during this meeting, suggesting that Ryder and his new associates had been involved in the murder of Beverly Johnson, CJ's mother.

Following CJ's exhile from Los Santos, Ryder aids Big Smoke in establishing a drug trade with the Loco Syndicate (San Andreas' largest drug cartel), which floods Los Santos with crack cocaine. He later appears in San Fierro during a meeting with T-Bone Mendez and The Ballas. After CJ and Cesar, along with a squad of Triads, riddle T-Bone with bullets on the pier, Ryder runs away and engages Carl in a speedboat chase, which ends in his death. (Alternatively, as he swims to the speedboat, he is killed by CJ's sniper rifle.)

Sean "Sweet" Johnson
Introduced in: Introduction; airport cut scene (on the phone) / "Sweet & Kendl" (in person)

Sean "Sweet" Johnson is a high-ranking member of the Grove Street Families and the older brother of Carl, Kendl and Brian Johnson. "Sweet" is voiced by Faizon Love.

Prior to the events of the game, Sweet's younger brother Brian was murdered, something which he held his other brother CJ accountable for. This prompted CJ to leave his gang life behind in favour of a new life in Liberty City, where he would spend the next five years.

After CJ's return to Los Santos following the death of their mother Beverly Johnson, CJ begins aiding Sweet and their allies in re-establishing the Grove Street Families, which in turn repairs his strained relationship with Sweet. During a meeting between the different sets of Grove Street Families, the police suddenly raid the hotel where the meeting is taking place. CJ rescues his brother and they escape, but shortly afterward, Sweet is lured into a Ballas ambush beneath a highway intersection. His wounds leave him unable to defend himself but CJ arrives and fights off the attackers. However, the police surround and arrest them both as the Ballas clear out. Sweet is convicted of several felonies and sentenced to life in prison.

Sometime later, CJ begins working for Mike Toreno, an undercover government agent in exchange for Sweet's protection and eventual release from prison. Upon his release from prison, Sweet is set on returning hood, refusing to join CJ in his new life away from the crippled Grove Street Families. Together, the pair return to Grove Street and re-gain control of the territory. As time progresses, CJ aids Sweet in re-establising the Grove Street Families once more by removing drug dealers from the streets and re-gaining lost gang territory.

After Smoke's death and the fiery destruction of his drug palace, Officer Tenpenny flees from the scene in a fire truck. Sweet is outraged and refuses to let Tenpenny escape justice again; he jumps onto the truck's ladder and is carried away with the speeding vehicle. CJ must race after them with his convertible under the ladder to keep Sweet from falling to his death; after a hazardous trip through the hills and valleys of Los Santos, the swinging ladder finally hangs over the car and Sweet drops safely into the passenger side. After a long chase, Tenpenny loses control, crashes, and dies. In the aftermath of the Los Santos riots and the removal of Big Smoke and Tenpenny's influence, Sweet's mission to restore the Grove Street Families to prominence is finally complete.

Cesar Vialpando
Introduced in: "Cesar Vialpando"

Cesar Vialpando is the leader of the Varrios Los Aztecas Mexican street gang and boyfriend of Kendl Johnson. He is voiced by Clifton Collins, Jr., who first broke into mainstream cinema in 1997 with a performance as the gang thug Cesar in the film 187.

Early on, Sweet expresses his disapproval, on racial grounds, of Kendl and Cesar's relationship and sends Carl to follow them. After CJ wins a lowrider contest, Cesar offers his friendship and CJ begins to warm to him. Cesar later informs CJ of Big Smoke and Ryder's betrayal by bringing him to witness a meeting with C.R.A.S.H. Upon seeing this, Carl realizes that Sweet's plan to attack the Ballas has likely been compromised, so Carl races to his brother's aid. Although he saves Sweet's life, Carl is arrested and forced into exile, along with Cesar and Kendl. With their former allies incarcerated, dead, missing, or responsible for betraying them, Cesar and Carl form a quick alliance and friendship. Cesar works to discern information about the organizations responsible for the San Andreas drug trade, whilst CJ concentrates on making money to help them get back on their feet. During their time in the countryside, Cesar sends CJ to work with his cousin Catalina.

After arriving in San Fierro, Cesar works with CJ and Kendl in establishing a garage and auto dealership business. Cesar uses his mechanical and driving skills to obtain several sports cars for this purpose. Contemporaneously, he continues to gather intelligence and along with Carl, puts a plan in motion to attack the people who double crossed them. With help from Wu Zi Mu and his Triad organization, Cesar and CJ kill Ryder and T-Bone Mendez and topple the Loco Syndicate, one of Big Smoke's largest suppliers.

Shortly after returning to Los Santos, CJ aids Cesar in seeking vengeance against The Los Santos Vagos and together they reclaim Cesar's house and gang territory. Cesar also tells CJ that he intends to propose to Kendl.

Wu Zi Mu ("Woozie")
Introduced in: "Wu Zi Mu"

Wu Zi Mu (Chinese: 武梓穆, literally "to respect the homeland" or 无字幕 which comically translates to "no subtitles"), known to his friends as "Woozie", is the leader of the Mountain Cloud Boys and The Triads and the owner of the newly opened Four Dragons Casino in Las Venturas. Woozie is blind but his remaining senses are fully functional. Woozie is also nicknamed the "Lucky Mole" (Chinese: 幸運的鼴鼠) because he is blessed with good fortune, most notably for his ability to race. He was also able to defeat CJ in a round of video games, all despite his blindness. Woozie is voiced by James Yaegashi.

Wu Zi Mu is first introduced to CJ during an illegal street race in the countryside. When CJ arrives in San Fierro, he aids Woozie in battling against his rival gang, The Da Nang Boys, a Vietnamese street gang. Woozie and his associates repay him by providing information on The Loco Sindicate (San Andreas' largest drug cartel) and its members. A short while later, Woozie relocates to Las Venturas where he establishes a new casino called The Four Dragons. CJ once again aids Woozie in eliminating the competition and together they carry out a successful heist at Caligulas' Casino. Woozie later rewards CJ with a stake in his casino.

Woozie makes no further appearances for the remainder of the game. By Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (set six years after the events of San Andreas) The Four Dragons Casino has become a major success, although Woozie's fate is left unknown.

Edward "Eddie" Pulaski
''Introduced in: Introduction; police arrest cut scene

''Killed in: "High Noon

Edward "Eddie" Pulaski is a secondary antagonist in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He is voiced by the late Chris Penn.

Pulaski is a police officer of the Los Santos Police Department (LSPD) and a member of C.R.A.S.H (Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums). Prior to the events of the game, Pulaski and his colleague Frank Tenpenny pressured their new colleague Officer Jimmy Hernandez into killing Officer Ralph Pendelbury, who was on the verge of exposing their corrupt activities. Pulaski and his associates confront CJ upon his return to Los Santos. During this confrontation, they tell him that they intend to frame him for Pendelbury's murder and order him to work for them by threatening him and his loved ones.

Whilst CJ is in Las Venturas, Tenpenny arranges a meeting with him to collect evidence compiled by the FBI from him. During this meeting, Tenpenny knocks Hernandez out for reporting his activities to Internal Affairs and leaves Pulaski behind to hold CJ at gunpoint whilst he digs Hernandez's grave. CJ tries to reason with Pulaski but he refuses to listen. Hernandez suddenly springs to life and tackles Pulaski, who fatally shoots him. CJ then pursues Pulaski in a lengthy car chase throughout the desert which eventually ends with Pulaski's death.

Michael "Mike" Toreno
''Introduced in: "Photo Opportunity"

Michael "Mike" Toreno is an undercover government agent and a member of the Loco Syndicate. He is voiced by James Woods.

Toreno is first introduced as a member of the Loco Syndicate (San Andreas' largest drug cartel). His associates Jizzy B and T-Bone Mendez are evenutally killed by CJ and Cesar Vialpando and Toreno himself is presumed dead when CJ destroys his helicopter after a lengthy chase. However, Toreno resurfaces a short while later and CJ begins working for him in exchange for Sweet's eventual release from prison. One of Toreno's assignments involves purchasing the Verdant Meadows Airfield, an abandoned landing strip in the desert, which is later used as a facility to train CJ as a pilot. Toreno makes one last appearance to tell CJ to pick up Sweet who has just been released from prison.