Franklin Clinton Grand Theft Auto V
Comment: Much of the discussion of this character is in-universe. Please add some significant coverage of the character by real-world reliable sources such as critics or trade magazines and resubmit. Robert McClenon (talk) 15:41, 6 August 2026 (UTC)
- Comment: Note to AFC Reviewers: This draft is for a title that was previously an article, but was then cut down to a redirect. If this draft is accepted, the history should be preserved. Do not tag the redirect for G6. If you find that this draft should be accepted, and do not have the Page Mover privilege, please request assistance in moving the redirect to preserve the history. Reviewers should check the history and verify whether there was a consensus to cut the article down to a redirect, or whether the action was taken boldly without discussion. If there was a consensus for the cutdown, do not accept this draft without verifying that the draft improves the article or that consensus has changed. If in doubt, please discuss. Robert McClenon (talk) 01:06, 6 August 2026 (UTC)
| Franklin Clinton | |
|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto character | |
| First appearance | Grand Theft Auto V |
| Game | Grand Theft Auto V |
| Last appearance | Grand Theft Auto Online |
| Created by | Rockstar North |
| Based on | Shawn Fonteno |
| Information | |
| Full name | Franklin Clinton |
| Nicknames | Frank, F dog, FC, F |
| Race | Black |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation |
|
| Affiliation | Michael De Santa, Trevor Philips |
| Spouse | Tanisha Clinton (née Jackson) |
| Origin | Los Santos |
Search Franklin Clinton on Amazon.
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
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 the 2004 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, voicing a Grove Street Families gang member.[7][8] 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.[9]
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.[10]
In 2021, Fonteno reprised his role alongside Slink Johnson (who portrayed Lamar Davis in the same game) in a live-action re-enactment of a cutscene where Lamar "roasts" Franklin.[11] The original scene had experienced a resurgence in popularity years later when parodies were uploaded online, usually involving Lamar's character model being replaced with various popular culture icons.[12][13] Later that year, Fonteno and Johnson again reprised their roles in downloadable content for Grand Theft Auto Online, which included a homage to the original roast cutscene.[14]
References
- ↑ Lynch, Casey; Miller, Greg; Simmons, Alex (2012-11-13). "Grand Theft Auto 5: Meet The Cast". IGN. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ Williams, Callum (2023-12-05). "The Best GTA Protagonists, Ranked". IGN. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ "Was Franklin Clinton the most grounded protagonist in GTA 5? (Here's why we think so)". The Times of India. 2025-06-18. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ Khal (2021-12-22). "'GTA Online: The Contract' Stars Shawn Fonteno and DJ Pooh Talk New DLC, Series' Legacy". Complex. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ Reilly, Luke (2021-12-17). "The Voice of GTA's Franklin Clinton on His Surprise Return to the Franchise". IGN. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ McWhertor, Michael (2021-12-08). "GTA Online's next update stars Dr. Dre and GTA 5's Franklin". Polygon.com. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Molina, Brett. "Interview: Crime pays for 'Grand Theft Auto V' actors". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ "Shawn Fonteno (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors.
- ↑ Furn, Daniel. "GTA 5 voice actors | full cast and where you know them from | Radio Times". www.radiotimes.com. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ ""Brutal": The actors behind Grand Theft Auto 5 reveal how they not only voiced but performed the cutscenes for the GTA classic". Popverse. 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ Chalk, Andy (January 12, 2021). "Grand Theft Auto 5 voice actors recreate the 'Lamar Roasts Franklin' scene". PC Gamer.
- ↑ Good, Owen S. (January 13, 2021). "GTA 5's 'Lamar roasts Franklin' meme goes IRL with original actors". Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- ↑ Boom, Daniel Van. "GTA V's dumbest meme re-created IRL with the game's actual actors". Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- ↑ "Lamar roasts Franklin again in GTA Online's The Contract update". Retrieved January 6, 2022.
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