Dark Secrets The Cast Of GTA Tried To Hide

The following article contains allegations of domestic abuse and sexual assault.

When it comes to the "Grand Theft Auto" series, fans have come to expect a gritty and violent interpretation of criminal life (with a touch of comedy, of course). Between al the murderers, bank robbers, and even corrupt politicians, "GTA" features a wide variety of seedy characters ranging from all walks of life. To bring these characters to life, Rockstar has always hired extremely talented voice actors and celebrity quest stars. What some fans may not realize, however, is that a number of these actors have dealt with some dark experiences in their past, with some oddly echoing the characters that they played in "GTA." From gang affiliation to drug addiction, some of these performers have been able to draw from real life experience to make their characters feel even more fleshed out.

On top of this, games like "GTA: Vice City" feature a number of famous film and television actors filling in many of the voice acting roles, and their lives haven't always been easy. In some cases, "GTA" guest voice actors have tarnished both their own career and their performance in a beloved game. Others have found a way to move past their mistakes and continue building a great career. Here are some "Grand Theft Auto" voice actors with somewhat checkered pasts.

Samuel L. Jackson has become a fixture in pop culture over the years, wowing audiences as Nick Fury in the MCU, Mace Windu in the "Star Wars" prequels, various characters in Quentin Tarantino films, and many more memorable performances. This resume also includes voicing Frank Tenpenny in "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas." However, his lifestyle wasn't always as squeaky clean as it is today. Back during his years acting in the theatre, Samuel L. Jackson was a very different person from the beloved screen presence we know today. In those years, Jackson was frequently on drugs, even performing while under the influence. His career started to really take off around the time he got clean.

Many have viewed Samuel L. Jackson's recovery from drug addiction as a positive change, worthy of admiration. The Guardian reported that Jackson kicked his drug habits after an incident in which he passed out in the presence of his young daughter. Looking back on his early career, Jackson explained, "I was doing things the right way, it was just that one thing that was in the way – my addiction. And once that was out of the way, it was – boom! The door blew wide open."

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Ray Liotta was already a famous actor when he joined the "GTA" series to play Tommy Vercetti in "Vice City." Outside of "GTA," movie fans are bound to recognize Ray Liotta from films like "Goodfellas" and "Field of Dreams." With such a well-loved filmography to his name, getting the actor for "GTA: Vice City" would seem like a dream come true for his fans. Sadly, Ray Liotta went through some dark moments in his life, including being given up by his birth mother and a marriage that ended in divorce. Controversy also struck when the actor was arrested for a DUI in 2007, five years after the release of "Vice City."

In the end, Ray Liotta's bail set at $15,000. Though he was able to pay this off and avoid jail, it was a low point for the actor. He was placed on probation and had to pay a fine, while Liotta's attorney pointed to an accidental reaction to prescription medication as the cause of the incident. Since Liotta's passing in May 2022, some have expressed a conflicted feeling when remembering the actor, highlighting both his career highs and lows.

Shawn "Solo" Fonteno had a difficult time in his younger years, witnessing the loss of loved ones, drug addiction, and violence, all while battling depression. He even apparently got into a fistfight with Ice Cube in the early '90s. Thankfully, he has since made amends with his fellow rapper/actor, according to TMZ. These experiences gave Fonteno a well to draw from when playing beloved character Franklin Clinton in "GTA 5." Though this is arguably his most high-profile gig, Solo has also enjoyed a rap career and a few other acting credits, including the film "Grow House" and work as miscellaneous voices in "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas."

Unlike many stories like this, Fonteno's bumpy past and prosperous present illustrates what many can consider a positive change. In an interview for The Hype Magazine, Solo stated, "I'm living proof that you can move past whatever circumstances you're in and find a way to make a change and have a positive impact." He continued, "I'm blessed to be in this situation and so grateful to the fans of Rockstar Games who have been so supportive." Sadly, not every celebrity associated with the "Grand Theft Auto" series has been able to completely turn their lives around in quite the same way.

Jenna Jameson is a retired adult film actress who leveraged her popularity to break into the realm of mainstream film and television. She has also written multiple successful books about her experiences in the industry. Her acting resume also includes a few video game credits, with her most prominent performance in the medium being the role of Candy Suxxx in "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City." In 2012, the actress made headlines for the wrong reasons when she was charged with a DUI after crashing her car with a blood-alcohol level of .13.

Despite the controversy, it was reported by the Herald-Tribune that Jenna Jameson was very remorseful for her actions. While showing remorse is a sign that this may have been just a one-time mistake, many critics have been unwilling to look past this event, and some continue to criticize the actress for her history of alcohol addiction. This includes an entire subreddit dedicated to pointing out Jameson's various flaws and controversies. This being the internet, it can get pretty nasty, with people picking apart her every social media post and public appearance.

Famed director and actor Dennis Hopper, who film fans may know from works like "Speed," "Easy Rider," and "Apocalypse Now," also played adult film director Steve Scott in "GTA: Vice City." His presence added even more clout to the game's star-studded cast, but he didn't exactly arrive on the project at an all-time high. A few years before the game's release, the actor had to pay almost a million dollars in punitive damages to Rip Torn after a defamation lawsuit and a failed appeal. In this bizarre back-and-forth, Hopper claimed during a "Tonight Show" interview that Rip Torn had once threatened him with a knife. Interestingly, Rip Torn then claimed the exact opposite happened, saying Hopper wielded the knife. Torn sued Hopper for defamation and was initially awarded $475,000, with another $475,000 coming later down the line.

Strangest of all was Hopper's defense of the situation, as Hopper profusely claimed that the entire thing was intended to be a joke that went too far. As many have already pointed out, dismissing a threat as a bad joke isn't the best defense to save yourself in a case like this. In the end, it cost Dennis Hopper nearly one million dollars.

A recognizable figure in the realm of both television and movies, Andy Dick is a comedian and actor known for his work in shows like "NewsRadio" and his self-named "Andy Dick Show." In "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas," Andy Dick played Maurice, the excitable host of "Gardening with Maurice." However, the actor also has a checkered history that has largely overshadowed his entertainment career, with substance issues and legal charges including first-degree residential burglary and sexual battery. Although some of the actors discussed here have overcome their demons and turned things around, Andy Dick has largely fallen out of favor in the court of public opinion.

In 2017, Andy Dick was let go from a movie due to multiple incidents on set, including groping, licking, and other inappropriate actions. Additionally, the actor faced sexual battery charges in 2018, domestic violence charges in 2021, and even burglary charges when he was caught attempting to steal power tools in 2022. In 2023, Dick was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender, as well as for public drunkenness. Many fans have noticed the sad decline of the actor, as he's gone from being a well-liked name to someone almost unrecognizable.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Jayceon Terrell Taylor, also known as The Game, is a rapper, artist, and voice actor who played B Dup in "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas." Outside of this, fans of "GTA" may also know The Game from his prolific music career or appearances across reality television. Outside of his acting career, The Game has found himself in a few different altercations with the law. In one bizarre story, the rapper was banned from Canada due to gang affiliations and multiple assault charges. An exclusive report from TMZ explained, "Game was blindsided by the last-minute red flag — telling us concert organizers had secured all permits and approval weeks ago to get Game into the country." Having a rough background is one thing, but being banned and deported from an entire country feels outlandish enough to fit right into the plot of an actual "GTA" game. All joking aside, these charges are serious enough to leave a mark on anyone's record, and they're not the only ones he's faced.

Outside of being barred from entering Canada, The Game has racked up a history of other legal troubles, including charges such as battery, illegal weapon possession, obstruction of justice, and sexual assault. An assault charge against an off-duty police officer also earned him three years of probation and multiple court-mandated anger management sessions.

Burt Reynolds was an iconic actor who appeared in tons of landmark movies, ranging from "The Longest Yard" to "Boogie Nights." What fans may have forgotten amidst that long resume is that the actor also appeared in two video games, "Saints Row: The Third" and "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City." In "Vice City," Burt Reynolds provided the voice of Avery Carrington, a role that perfectly utilized his classic southern drawl and attitude. However, similar to plenty of other "GTA: Vice City ” voice actors, looking deeper into Burt Reynolds' past will reveal parts of his life that he wasn't very proud of, including a history of womanizing and sexist comments. Despite being shrugged off in the past, those comments came back to haunt him.

In a 2015 chat with the Mirror, Burt Reynolds looked back on his past mistakes, including insensitive comments regarding subjects like AIDS and sexuality. The actor stated that he regretted any unkind words he'd said before, and that he'd tried to make amends in the years since. "I made some stupid mistakes," said Reynolds. "And I haven't been the nicest guy in the world about keeping my mouth shut about women." 

David Cross is a comedian and actor known for his work on "Mr. Show" and "Arrested Development," as well as for voicing Zero in "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas." Cross' comedic timing and delivery made for a memorable character for plenty of "GTA" fans, even if they never realized he provided the voice. What nets him a spot on this list is an admission that almost belongs in a "GTA" game: He once did cocaine during the annual Correspondents' Dinner at the White House. While this story may seem like a bizarre subplot in a comedy flick, for David Cross, this is one action he definitely regrets.

In an interview with Playboy (via The Hollywood Reporter), Cross explained why he did drugs in the same room as former President Barack Obama. Cross said that he wasn't doing it to get high, but he wanted "to say that I did it, that I did cocaine in the same room as the president." Sadly, rumors surrounding the incident apparently led to Cross and his partner, actress Amber Tamblyn, no longer being invited to future Correspondents' Dinners.

Outside of his work as Sony Forelli in "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City," Tom Sizemore was recognized for his work in projects such as "Twin Peaks," "Saving Private Ryan," and "Black Hawk Down." Based on these moments alone, it's safe to say that Tom Sizemore is a household name. As many could have guessed from this article, his record was far from clean.

People magazine ended the opening paragraph of its memorial for the actor by calling attention to his iffy track record, which included criminal charges and the substance addictions that Tom Sizemore had struggled with throughout his life. In 2016, Tom Sizemore was charged with intimate partner abuse, intimate partner battery, and even making terrorist threats. He narrowly avoided jail time for these charges after pleading no contest and accepting probation and community service. Around this time, he worked to become sober once more. Despite his recent passing and impressive body of work, some people still remember the actor more for his troubled life and the negative aspects of his career.

For many, Gary Busey is a household name, having appeared in huge films like "Silver Bullet," "Point Break," and "Rookie of the Year," as well as TV shows like "Celebrity Apprentice." However, as many can already guess, when an actor reaches this level of popularity, there's bound to be a few skeletons in their closet, and Gary Busey has courted controversy before and after his time playing Phil Cassidy in "Vice City." While his performance in the game was an excellent addition overall, this has been soured for many players when they've learned of the crimes Busey's been charged with in the past. In addition to past charges of drug possession and spousal abuse, Busey was charged with multiple sex crimes in 2022.

Three fans who attended the Monster Mania convention in New Jersey claimed that Busey groped them without their consent during the event. Additionally, according to a report from CNN, Busey allegedly attempted to talk authorities into silencing the people who reported these incidents. In the weeks following the charges becoming public, Busey told TMZ that he was innocent in the matter.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.