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| Carl Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto character | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:CarlJohnsonGTA.png) Carl Johnson's official artwork | |
| First game | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) |
| Last appearance | The Introduction (2004) |
| Created by | Rockstar North |
| Voiced by | Young Maylay |
| Motion capture | Young Maylay |
| In-universe information | |
| Nickname | CJ |
| Occupation |
|
| Affiliation | Grove Street Families |
| Family |
|
| Origin | Los Santos, San Andreas |
| Nationality | American |
Carl Johnson, also known as "CJ", is a fictional character and the playable protagonist of the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the fifth main installment in Rockstar Games's Grand Theft Auto series. He is voiced by Young Maylay, who also served as the likeness for the character and provided some motion capture.
Carl is the second-in-command of the Grove Street Families, a street gang based in the fictional city of Los Santos. The gang is led by Carl's brother, Sweet, with whom he became estranged following the death of their younger brother. Five years later, Carl returns to Los Santos after his mother's murder, forcing him to return to his gangster lifestyle while under pressure from criminal organisations and corrupt authorities. Carl's quest to find the truth behind his mother's murder leads him to develop alliances, take on rival street gangs and build up his own criminal empire.
Unlike Tommy Vercetti in the previous game, who was voiced by veteran Hollywood actor Ray Liotta, Rockstar Games sought a little-known actor to portray Carl, instead relegating celebrity voice talent to secondary roles. Executive producer Sam Houser felt that a then-unknown Young Maylay made Carl feel more human. The character received critical acclaim, with praise going to his complexity, lack of stereotype and his sense of conscience, and is regarded as one of the greatest video game characters of all time.