Thomas "Tommy" Vercetti is the main playable protagonist of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. A former made man of the Forelli Crime Family from Liberty City, Tommy is sent to Vice City to establish a new drug operation. After being ambushed during a deal, he rises through the criminal underworld to build his own empire, the Vercetti Gang, eventually becoming the undisputed kingpin of the city. As the first protagonist in the series with a voice actor, he left a lasting mark on the franchise.
History
Background
Thomas Vercetti was born in Liberty City in 1951 to an Italian-American family. His father worked in a printing shop, and Tommy initially planned to follow in his footsteps but ultimately "lived a different life." In his youth, he befriended Sonny Forelli and eventually joined the Forelli Crime Family. By 1971, Sonny, growing wary of Tommy's rising influence, sent him to Harwood to assassinate a man, secretly orchestrating an ambush. Tommy survived by killing all eleven of his attackers but was arrested and sentenced to prison for fifteen years, earning the nickname "the Harwood Butcher" from the press.
Events of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
In 1986, Tommy is released from prison. Sonny Forelli, still seeing him as a threat in Liberty City, sends him to Vice City to oversee a major drug deal. The deal is ambushed, resulting in the loss of both the money and the drugs. Under pressure from Sonny to recover the assets, Tommy begins working with lawyer Ken Rosenberg and other figures in the city's criminal underworld.
He forms a partnership with Lance Vance, whose brother was killed in the ambush. Together, they work for Ricardo Diaz, the city's most powerful drug lord, whom they discover was responsible for the ambush. Tommy and Lance eventually storm Diaz's mansion, kill him, and take over his criminal enterprise. Tommy rebrands the operation as the Vercetti Gang and begins expanding his empire by purchasing various businesses across the city, including the Malibu Club and the Print Works.
As his power grows, Sonny becomes impatient for his money. He sends his men to collect from Tommy's businesses, leading to a violent confrontation. Tommy decides to pay Sonny with counterfeit money, but at the exchange at his estate, he is betrayed by Lance, who has sided with Sonny. In the ensuing gunfight, Tommy kills both Lance and Sonny, eliminating all his rivals and solidifying his position, alongside Ken Rosenberg, as the undisputed kingpin of Vice City.
After Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Following the events of 1986, Tommy Vercetti continued to run his criminal empire. His relationship with Ken Rosenberg became strained due to Ken's cocaine addiction, leading Tommy to send him to rehab in San Andreas. By 1992, Tommy had cut all ties with Ken, refusing to take his calls as mentioned in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. According to information on Kent Paul's in-universe website in 2002, a veiled reference suggests Tommy was still alive and in power at that time.
Personality and Traits
Tommy Vercetti is depicted as intelligent but highly temperamental, often resorting to violence to solve problems. Despite his ruthless nature, he shows a sense of loyalty and care for certain individuals, such as Earnest Kelly, whom he views as a father figure, and Mercedes Cortez. He is a hands-on leader who prefers to handle important tasks himself rather than delegating. While he believes in a code of honor, he can be selfish and primarily focused on his own goals of power and wealth. His loyalty is strong, but he was deeply shocked by Lance's betrayal, revealing a certain naivete despite his violent lifestyle.
Physical Appearance
Tommy is an Italian-American man portrayed with a tall, handsome, and swarthy appearance, featuring combed dark brown hair and a five-o'clock shadow. His most iconic outfit consists of a light blue-green Hawaiian shirt with palm trees, blue jeans, and white sneakers, complemented by a pearl necklace and a gold watch. Through the Player Skin Setup feature in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, players can change his outfit.
Relationships
Family
Tommy's father worked in a printing shop, a memory he cherishes and which forms his bond with Earnest Kelly. Dialogue suggests he had a poor relationship with his mother.
Friends and Associates
- Ken Rosenberg: Tommy's lawyer and initial Contact in Vice City. He becomes a key part of the Vercetti Gang, though their relationship sours after 1986.
- Lance Vance: Initially a close partner who helps Tommy take down Ricardo Diaz. However, his incompetence and jealousy lead him to betray Tommy for Sonny Forelli.
- Juan Cortez: A retired colonel who helps Tommy investigate the ambushed drug deal.
- Earnest Kelly: An elderly employee at the Print Works whom Tommy views as a father figure.
Enemies
- Sonny Forelli: Tommy's former boss and the main antagonist. He orchestrates the Harwood ambush and later tries to reclaim control from Tommy in Vice City.
- Ricardo Diaz: The original kingpin of Vice City who was responsible for ambushing Tommy's first drug deal. Tommy kills him and takes over his empire.
Mission Appearances
As the protagonist of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Tommy Vercetti appears in and is central to nearly every mission in the game. He is also mentioned by Ken Rosenberg in the mission "The Meat Business" in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Grand Theft Auto Online
While Tommy Vercetti from the 3D Universe does not exist in the HD Universe of Grand Theft Auto Online, several businesses from his empire, such as the Malibu Club, appear as legitimate establishments.
In-Game Digital Presence
In 2002, the character Kent Paul mentioned Tommy on his in-universe website under a list of social problems from the 1980s, writing, "(see, Tom, I didn't mention your name, nowhere. Maybe you won't get us killed now, okay?)".
Development
Concept and Creation
Tommy Vercetti's character and story draw influence from several iconic figures. His rise to power in a Miami-like setting, his mansion, and his violent temper are heavily inspired by Tony Montana from the film Scarface 1. He also shares traits with Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs 2, as both are loyal criminals released from prison after serving time for their families. His story also mirrors that of real-life mobster Joseph Iannuzzi3 and Vito Corleone from The Godfather 4.
Portrayal
Tommy was voiced by the late actor Ray Liotta5, making him the first voiced protagonist in the Grand Theft Auto series. His motion capture was performed by Jonathan Sale6. A dispute between Liotta and Rockstar Games over compensation is reportedly why the character has no new lines in the prequel short film for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 7.
Reception
Tommy Vercetti is a highly regarded character who left an indelible mark on the GTA series. His introduction in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was praised by a former Rockstar lead developer for excellently establishing his persona. The character remains a fan favorite, with speculation about his legacy and mansion frequently arising in discussions about future series entries like Grand Theft Auto 6 which is also based in Vice City.
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