Michael De Santa, formerly known as Michael Townley, is one of three main protagonists in Grand Theft Auto V, alongside Franklin Clinton and Trevor Philips. Voiced by Ned Luke1, Michael is a retired bank robber living in Los Santos, struggling with family issues and a midlife crisis, which ultimately pulls him back into a life of crime.
Summary
Michael’s story begins with him faking his death to escape his criminal past and start fresh with his family. However, his dysfunctional relationships and dissatisfaction with retirement lead him to re-enter the world of heists and violence. He becomes a mentor to Franklin and rekindles his turbulent friendship with Trevor, despite their history of betrayal.
Throughout the game, Michael grapples with his desire for a better life while facing the consequences of his actions. His personal arc revolves around redemption, rebuilding his family, and confronting the ghosts of his past, including his betrayal of Trevor and their mutual associate, Brad.
Key Points
- Background: Former bank robber who faked his death to live under witness protection in Los Santos with his family.
- Family: Married to Amanda, with two children, Jimmy and Tracey. His strained relationships improve as the story progresses.
- Partnerships: Reunites with Trevor and mentors Franklin, forming a complex dynamic of loyalty, betrayal, and camaraderie.
- Special Ability: Bullet-time combat, allowing him to slow down time during shootouts for precision targeting.
- Major Themes: Redemption, midlife crisis, and the consequences of a criminal lifestyle.
Trivia
- Michael is the first GTA protagonist to have a fully developed family dynamic.
- His character explores the concept of "What happens after the life of crime?"
- His frequent use of sarcasm and movie quotes reflects his internal conflict and nostalgic yearning.
