Draft:Franklin Clinton
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| Franklin Clinton | |
|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto character | |
First appearance | Grand Theft Auto V |
Last appearance | Grand Theft Auto Online |
| Created by | Rockstar North |
| Based on | Shawn Fonteno |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Franklin Clinton |
| Race | Black |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation |
|
| Affiliation | Michael De Santa, Trevor Philips |
| Spouse | Tanisha Clinton (née Jackson) |
| Origin | Los Santos |
Franklin Clinton is a playable character and one of the main protagonists in the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V, a game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. In-game he is also alongside Michael de Santa and Trevor Philips.
On December 15, 2021, Franklin appeared in the expansion for Grand Theft Auto Online, The Contract; he acts as your co-founder and senior business partner in your agency. Franklin is based on the American actor and rapper, Shawn Fonteno. Fonteno also voices and motion captures Franklin.
Backstory and design
[edit]In the Grand Theft Auto universe Franklin Clinton is an American gangster born in Los Santos and is from Strawberry; he lives with his aunt, Denise Clinton.[1][2] Franklin worked for Simeon Yetarian at a dealership in downtown Los Santos up until he tried repossessing a car that he ended up crashing into the dealership on the command of the father of the owner.
In 2013 Franklin met Michael de Santa, a retired criminal. Franklin is known to be loyal to Michael and help with many problems, robberies, and heists throughout the game's story.[3]
In December of 2021, Franklin was a part of The Contract an expansion for Grand Theft Auto Online.[4] He acts as your co-founder of your agency, giving you various missions, including some with famous musicians such as Dr. Dre.[5][6]
Franklin is based on American actor and rapper Shawn Fonteno. Fonteno got his role after auditioning with Rockstar Games. Before GTA V, Fonteno had already done minor voice acting in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He is also the cousin of Young Maylay, the voice actor for Carl “CJ” Johnson from San Andreas.[7]
According to Fonteno, Rockstar invited him to interview and audition for the role, though he initially believed he would not get the part. In a later interview, he recalled arriving at Rockstar and meeting staff members, thinking he was unlikely to get the part. However, the company reportedly liked his voice, personality, and real-life background, which closely matched Franklin’s background and character.[8]
Fonteno has stated that his past experiences growing up in Watts, Los Angeles, and his former involvement in gangs made it easier for him to portray Franklin. Rockstar ultimately cast him for both the voice acting and the motion capture role.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Lynch, Casey; Miller, Greg; Simmons, Alex (November 13, 2012). "Grand Theft Auto 5: Meet The Cast". IGN. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ Williams, Callum (December 5, 2023). "The Best GTA Protagonists, Ranked". IGN. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ "Was Franklin Clinton the most grounded protagonist in GTA 5? (Here's why we think so)". The Times of India. June 18, 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ Khal (December 22, 2021). "'GTA Online: The Contract' Stars Shawn Fonteno and DJ Pooh Talk New DLC, Series' Legacy". Complex. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ Reilly, Luke (December 17, 2021). "The Voice of GTA's Franklin Clinton on His Surprise Return to the Franchise". IGN. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ McWhertor, Michael (December 8, 2021). "GTA Online's next update stars Dr. Dre and GTA 5's Franklin". Polygon.com. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ Molina, Brett. "Interview: Crime pays for 'Grand Theft Auto V' actors". USA TODAY. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ Furn, Daniel. "GTA 5 voice actors | full cast and where you know them from | Radio Times". www.radiotimes.com. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ ""Brutal": The actors behind Grand Theft Auto 5 reveal how they not only voiced but performed the cutscenes for the GTA classic". Popverse. March 6, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2026.