Oldest Playable Characters In Rockstar's Games, Ranked

Summary

Rockstar game protagonists show signs of aging, reflecting maturity in storytelling and character development.
Characters like Johnny, Tommy, Arthur, John, Trevor, Max, and Michael’s ages are highlighted in the article.
These characters face varied fates; some meet their tragic demise, while others continue living life on the edge.

Characters in Rockstar games share characteristics with their namesake – they’re more likely to take impulsive actions that could lead to a short lifespan rather than make careful decisions. Bold, active, and sometimes apathetic towards the consequences, these game stars are often young, trigger-happy individuals who act before thinking.

As the studio grew older, their ambitions to tell stories evolved, mirroring the maturity of their players’ in-game characters. These seasoned protagonists now carry a sense of weariness from years of bank heists and car thefts. A word of caution: some aged spoilers for games such as Max Payne, Grand Theft Auto, and Red Dead Redemption may lie ahead.

7. Johnny Klebitz – 34 Years Old

Riding Wild Until The Big 40

Date of birth: 1974
GTA 4: The Lost and Damned takes place in: 2008

In the game Grand Theft Auto, Johnny Klebitz, who holds the position of Vice President within the fictional motorcycle club known as The Lost, features as a secondary character. However, in the standalone expansion titled “The Lost and Damned,” he takes center stage. At this point in the storyline, Johnny is 34 years old.

With Johnny’s assistance, he manages to endure the happenings of “The Lost and Damned” and continues his journey up until his 39th birthday in 2013. In Grand Theft Auto 5, as a character not controlled by the player, he meets an unfortunate demise at the hands of Trevor, another main character, who brutally slays him during one of his outbursts in the desert.

6. Tommy Vercetti – 35 Years Old

The Undying Avatar Of The Gratuitous 80s

Date of birth: 1951
GTA: Vice City takes place in: 1986

In an astonishing turn of events, having started as a ruthless assassin who narrowly escaped a lethal trap, Tommy ultimately ascended to become the dominant crime lord in Vice City. Remarkably, he outlived many of his contemporaries (and even some of his former bosses) – a testament to his survival skills.

In the game “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City,” the story is set in 1986, making the protagonist Tommy Vercetti about 35 years old at that time. He appears in “San Andreas” as well, which suggests his survival up to an age of 41. If Tommy were still alive in 2025, he would be a spry 74 years old.

5. Arthur Morgan – 36 Years Old

The Gunslinger With Dusty Boots (And Lungs)

Date of birth: 1863
Red Dead Redemption 2 takes place in: 1899

In “Red Dead Redemption 2”, Arthur Morgan, born in 1863, is 36 years old and finds himself questioning the price of his outlaw lifestyle at a point that’s perhaps too late. By the norms of the late 1800s, Arthur is nearing the end of his days, having lived a life far from the average.

In older times, many individuals didn’t live past their teenage years, but Arthur’s long lifespan was hardly unexpected considering his turbulent and migratory lifestyle. Regrettably, the harshness of his life eventually caught up with him when he fell ill with tuberculosis, resulting in a premature and sorrowful end before he could reach his forties.

4. John Marston – 38 Years Old

A Man With Plenty Of Ill, Bitter History

Date of birth: 1873
Red Dead Redemption takes place in: 1911

From the year of his birth in 1873, John Marston’s life was marked by a series of challenging events. By the tender age of 11, he had taken another man’s life, and shortly thereafter, at barely 12 years old, he was drawn into a gang following a close brush with being lynched.

In the year 1911, during the waning days of what was once known as the “Wild West,” the game Red Dead Redemption is set. By this time, John, the protagonist, has a tumultuous life spanning 38 years. He must deal with and confront his past, which is filled with misdeeds, often using firearms.

3. Trevor Philips – Mid-40s

Running On Rage For Over Four Decades

Date of birth: sometime in the late 1960s
GTA 5 takes place in: 2013

Back in the day, I can only imagine the chaos this guy would have caused if he were a young whippersnapper like me in the 80s. Though they don’t explicitly say it in Grand Theft Auto, they hint that Trevor was around my age at the tail end of the 80s. Scary stuff!

By the time of “GTA 5”, he would likely be in his mid-forties. The things that come out of Trevor’s mouth can’t be trusted due to his obvious insanity, but his weathered and aged looks lend credence to this assumption.

2. Max Payne – 47 Years Old

Looking Pretty Good Considering The Years Of Abuse

Date of birth: November 30, 1965
Max Payne 3 takes place in: 2011, 2012

By his fifties, Max truly embodies his name, having faced numerous hardships throughout his life. Born in November 1965, Max’s journey has been marked by sorrow, adventure, and substance abuse. By 2011, the consequences of his fast-paced life start to become apparent as he becomes dependent on painkillers and requires alcohol to wake up each day.

In 2012, Max Payne appears for the last time, reaching 47 years old. It seems he’s ready to accept recovery and tranquility following decades of seeking vengeance and violence.

1. Michael De Santa – 48 Years Old

Hardly One Of The Saints, Nor Softened With Age

Date of birth: 1965
GTA 5 takes place in: 2013

Based on the information engraved on Michael’s tombstone, which he later discovered during his own funeral after orchestrating his demise, Michael De Santa (formerly known as Michael Townley) was born in 1965. This would mean that by the time of the events portrayed in Grand Theft Auto 5’s narrative, Michael would be approximately 48 years old.

So far, Michael has been the oldest character from the Rockstar series to have his own storyline. It was recently confirmed that he’s still employed as a film producer at Richard Majestic Studios, putting him at 56 years old in 2021. Despite this, players never get to control him directly or see him within the game.

Honorable Mention: Red Dead Online Multiplayer Characters – 50+

In the multiplayer mode of Red Dead Redemption, these characters stand out because they’re exclusively playable within that context. Among them are Harold MacDougal and Bill Williamson, who are around 40 years old, and Leigh Johnson, Agustin Allende, Dutch van der Linde, and Edgar Ross, who range from their late 50s to early 60s, and can be chosen as your playable character.

In this game, you’ll encounter some experienced players who, though not necessarily old in terms of age, possess a wisdom that’s undeniable. Among them are Uncle Drew McFarlane and Landon Ricketts. Additionally, Kyle McGinty and Christy Weller, both holding the prestigious Legendary rank, fall within the late sixties or early seventies. Christy, in particular, is known for her frequent remarks about her advanced years.

2025-02-22 09:09

Oldest Playable Characters In Rockstar’s Games, Ranked