| The Illusive Man | |
|---|---|
| Mass Effect character | |
 The Illusive Man, as shown in the Mass Effect 2 Codex. | |
| First appearance | Mass Effect: Ascension (2008) |
| First game | Mass Effect 2 (2010) |
| Last appearance | Mass Effect: Foundation (2014) |
| Voiced by | Martin Sheen |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Jack Harper |
The Illusive Man is a fictional character in BioWare's Mass Effect video game franchise. He is the leader of the pro-human group Cerberus. The Illusive Man wears an open suit that connotes both futuristic style and the "casual swagger of a charming billionaire". His eye implants make him appear slightly inhuman. He is normally seen in an empty office with no indication of his living arrangements. He is voiced by Martin Sheen.
The character first appeared in 2008's novel Ascension, and made his video game debut in Mass Effect 2 as a supporting character. In the game, he arranges to revive Commander Shepard from death, provides Shepard with a ship and crew, and sends Shepard on several missions against the human-abducting Collectors. The Illusive Man later appears in Mass Effect 3 as the secondary antagonist, where he works against Shepard's attempts to destroy the Reapers, wishing to control them instead. He appears in several other Mass Effect comics series and novels. Mass Effect: Evolution reveals the character's origin story as a mercenary named Jack Harper, who worked for the Human System Alliance during the First Contact War.