Grand Theft Auto IV - Main Characters
NIKO BELLIC
Voiced by Michael Hollick.
"Life is complicated. I killed people. Smuggled people. Sold people. Perhaps here, things will be different."
Grand Theft Auto IV's protagonist, Niko Bellic, is an Eastern European immigrant with a dark and shady past. Niko is in his mid-thirties, and moved to Liberty City to escape his past and pursue the "American Dream". The move was persuaded by his cousin, Roman, who claimed to be living there with two women, four hot tubs and fifteen sport cars - a lifestyle which very much appealed to Niko. Believing these claims, Niko got on a boat and headed for America in the hope of a better life. It soon became apparent, however, that Roman had lied in order to cover up his own failures. The truth is he operates a failing taxi business, has mounting debts, and various criminals from Liberty City's underworld have put a price tag on his head.
ROMAN BELLIC
Voiced by Jason Zumwalt.
Roman is Niko's cousin, and has lived in Liberty City for fifteen years. He is an optimist, a fantasist, and a liar, and he lured Niko to Liberty City with false promises. At the beginning of the game, Roman serves as your only friend and as your only connection in the story. He runs a failing taxi business in a converted industrial garage in Broker, and dates a girl called Mallorie. Once your relationship with Roman advances to a certain stage, he provides a free taxi service to Niko.
LITTLE JACOB
Voiced by Coolie Ranx.
Jacob (nicknamed "Little Jacob") is a Jamaican arms dealer from Dukes, and one of Niko's many associates. He talks with a thick heavy Jamaican accent, and supplies you with any firepower you need, which he keeps stored in the trunk of his car. He is a good friend of Roman Bellic, Niko's cousin. Once Niko's relationship with Jacob reaches a certain level, he will come and bring you guns anywhere in town whenever you need them.
BRUCIE KIBBUTZ
Voiced by Timothy Adams.
Fitness enthusiast, car nut, and self appointed VIP. Brucie thinks very highly of himself. He is a man brimming with confidence, who isn't afraid to make himself heard. He lives a lavish lifestyle, with nothing but the finest women, cars and lifestyle accessories. He was introduced to Niko by Roman, and operates a garage in Broker, just around the corner from the taxi depot. Once Niko's relationship with Brucie advances to a certain stage, Brucie provides a free helictoper service to Niko.
MALLORIE BARDAS
Voiced by Elena Harvey Hurst.
Mallorie Bardas is currently dating Roman Bellic, Niko's cousin.
VLADIMIR GLEBOV
Voiced by Misha Kuznetsov.
Russian-born money lender, bully, top international businessman, and patron of the bar Comrades. Vlad sees himself as a powerful and intimidating character with a lot of influence, who runs the Hove Beach neighbourhood of Broker with an iron fist. The reality is, however, that he is a low level Russian criminal trying to win respect amongst the bigger boys in town. Most of his criminal activities are minor.
DIMITRI RASCALOV
Voiced by Moti Margolin.
One of Mikhail Faustin's associates who you meet early in the game.
MIKHAIL FAUSTIN
Voiced by Karel Roden.
One of the game's many hardcore Eastern Europeans who you meet early on in the game. Niko goes on to develop a working relationship with Faustin as the story unfolds. You can see an official artwork illustration of Faustin here.
PATRICK MCREARY
Voiced by Ryan Johnston.
Patrick is an Irish hoodlum who is related to bent cop Francis McReary (see above). Those who know him refer to him as "Packie" for short. Patrick is a good friend of Elizabeta who lives with his mother and sister, though he doesn't particularly enjoy it. His sister, Kate, is in love with Niko (she is seen kissing him in the third GTA IV trailer) but Patrick warns him away from her.
FRANCIS MCREARY
Voiced by Thomas Lyons.
Francis McReary is a corrupt police officer (what would a GTA game be without one?) who has dirt on Niko's past. He knows about a felony Niko committed, and threatens to expose it unless Niko runs some errands for him. In the mission "Call and Collect," McReary asks Niko to retrieve a memory stick with sensitive data which was stolen from him. McReary comes from a tough neighbourhood.
MANNY ESCUELA
Voiced by Berto Colon.
Manny Escuela is an ex-gangster from South Bohan, who managed to transform his life and put his troubled past behind him. Now he is trying to help others do the same, and is determined to clean up the neighbourhood, the kids, and the streets of Liberty City, by leading the "St. Mary's Community Project." He is currently having a documentary made about himself, to record his struggle in the community.
ELIZABETA TORRES
Voiced by Charlie Parker.
Elizabeta has been a successful drug dealer in Bohan for more than ten years. Her success is due mainly to the fact that she tends to keep her business low-key, while paying off or ordering the killings of the right people. A crackdown on drug dealing has increased the level of pressure on Elizabeta, as police begin to focus more on her activities. She has recently developed a drug addiction, which is making her dangerously paranoid and delusional.
PLAYBOY X
Voiced by Postell Pringle.
Playboy X is a hustler, who was introduced to Niko by Elizabeta. He owns a large penthouse suite in Algonquin, where much of his business is conducted from. He requires Niko to do several jobs for him. Playboy used to do business with a friend called Dwayne Forge, who was recently released from prison, but Playboy has since moved on without him.
DWAYNE FORGE
Voiced by Devin Richards.
Dwayne Forge is an old friend of Playboy X who recently got released from prison. He fears that Playboy has moved on in the world and left him - and the street life - behind. He is a confident character.
RAY BOCCINO
Voiced by Joe Barbara.
Ray Boccino is an Italian mobster who is trying to help Niko look for someone. In return, Niko must run some errands for the mafia.
PHIL BELL
Voiced by Frank Bonsangue.
Phil Bell is an Alderney businessman and mafia goon. He agrees to help Niko look for someone, but in return Niko must run some errands for the mafia. Phil works with another mafioso individual known as Ray Boccino.