The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series is one of the biggest game franchises ever. Over the years, Rockstar Games has not only given us exciting open-world adventures but also introduced some of the most famous names from Hollywood and the music industry.
From legendary actors to global music icons, GTA has featured celebrities either as characters or as themselves. Even though Rockstar does not use as many stars now, earlier GTA titles are full of surprising voiceovers and cameos.
Here are some of the most memorable celebrity appearances in GTA games.
1) Samuel L. Jackson as Officer Frank Tenpenny
One of the most iconic GTA characters is Officer Frank Tenpenny from San Andreas. The man behind the voice? None other than Samuel L. Jackson.
Jackson, known for Pulp Fiction and countless other films, gave life to the corrupt police officer in a way that only he could. His powerful voice and commanding presence made Tenpenny one of the most unforgettable villains in GTA history.
2) Ricky Gervais as Himself
In Grand Theft Auto IV, players could visit comedy clubs in Liberty City. To everyone’s surprise, English comedian Ricky Gervais performed on stage as himself.
He cracked jokes about everyday life, politics, and more, giving players a real taste of his stand-up humor inside the game. Another comedian, Katt Williams, also joined the fun, making this one of GTA’s most unique celebrity cameos.
3) Dr. Dre as Himself
Fast forward to GTA Online’s The Contract DLC, Rockstar brought in one of the biggest music legends of all time Dr. Dre.
In the game, he plays himself and even gives players missions to recover his stolen phone containing unreleased music. Fans loved this addition since Dre’s presence connected real-world hip-hop culture with the GTA universe.
4) Ray Liotta as Tommy Vercetti
In GTA Vice City, players were introduced to one of the most loved protagonists in the franchise, Tommy Vercetti. The man behind the voice was Hollywood star Ray Liotta.
Famous for his role in Goodfellas, Liotta’s performance gave Tommy the perfect mix of charm and toughness. His voice acting played a big part in making Vice City one of the most iconic GTA games ever made.
5) Phil Collins as Himself
English singer Phil Collins was the first celebrity to appear as himself in the GTA series. In Vice City Stories, Collins became part of the story where criminals planned to target him.
Not only did he appear in cutscenes, but he also performed his legendary hit In the Air Tonight live in-game. This was one of the most unique and creative moments ever seen in GTA.
