Since the third Grand Theft Auto game, the series has continually provided interesting and entertaining characters. The ones in GTA 5 might be the best in the series' history. It helps that there is a lot of them.
For starters, there are the three protagonists and the main story's supporting players. On top of that, the Stranger and Freaks missions introduce you to a bunch of other people. And lastly, you can meet random individuals around Los Santos. So when it comes to characters, GTA 5 certainly has quantity. Thankfully, the game's main cast has quality, too. The following individuals are the best example of that.
8 Mary-Ann Quinn
For some people, exercise is a great way to de-stress. However, it doesn't seem to work for Mary-Ann Quinn. This fitness fanatic is irrationally angry all the time and berates Michael and Franklin before they give her a reason to do so.
Her fury isn't her only personal quirk, though, as she has several others, including her tendency to reveal way too much personal information without being prompted. As with many GTA characters, she'd be horrible to meet in real life, but she is hilarious in a video game setting.
7 Lester Crest
Lester is an important part of GTA 5's main story as he's the man who usually sets up the elaborate heists for Micheal, Franklin, and Trevor. He excels in this role due to his incredible intellect and eye for detail. And it's very likely that the others wouldn't have a chance of pulling off many of their jobs without his help.
So, he is essential to the story, but he's more than that. The guy is a continually captivating individual, whether he's ranting about Lifeinvader founder Jay Norris or doing some social commentary on various topics.
6 Wade Hebert
The characters in Grand Theft Auto 5 aren't the most sympathetic bunch, yet it's easy to feel sorry for Wade Hebert. The poor guy is continually mistreated and manipulated by his best friend, Trevor.
Thankfully, it doesn't bother him too much as Wade isn't the smartest guy around. In fact, he seems to have the mind of a child. His innocence and positivity are refreshing, though, as it's a stark contrast to the cynicism the other characters display. Plus, his childlike behavior leads to some funny moments.
5 Lazlow Jones
Lazlow is one of the most prominent characters in GTA history as he's one of the few to appear in multiple games. He usually just serves as a voice on the radio. But in GTA 5, you meet the man in person on several occasions.
At this point in his career, he's an aging celebrity trying desperately to stay relevant despite not having any talent - in his own admission. As such, he's the sort of character you laugh at instead of with, particularly as he gets publicly embarrassed multiple times throughout the game. You would feel sorry for him if he wasn't also a sleaze.
4 Franklin Clinton
Out of the three protagonists, Franklin is arguably the most likable. This is because he isn't as angry or violent as either Micheal or Trevor. In fact, compared to most of the people in the game, he's a normal, well-adjusted guy who's just trying to better his life.
Admittedly, his life goals revolve around being a better criminal who steals more money. So, his ambitions aren't the most morally righteous, but if they were, he wouldn't be a GTA protagonist. The fact he's one of the least bizarre people in the game leads to plenty of hilarious moments, as his reactions to the odd characters are always comical.
3 Michael De Santa
GTA protagonists usually fit a certain mold. Yet, Michael is different from all the others because he's a family man who tried to leave his criminal life behind. As a result, he has a more engaging arc than either Franklin or Trevor, as he attempts to keep his family together while partaking in some heists.
His plotline, along with his narcissism and guilty conscience, makes him a fascinating character. On top of that, he often delivers some powerful words of wisdom, which are among the best quotes in the game.
2 Lamar Davis
Lamar is introduced as Franklin's best friend very early into GTA 5. Within those first few hours of the game, he delivers a litany of memorable lines. Whether he's insulting Franklin's "yee-yee a** haircut" or complaining about not being the employee of the month, he steals every scene in which he features. And he is one of the most outrageous individuals in the entire series.
His role is to be a comic relief character and serve as a negative comparison to Franklin, showing that the protagonist is more grounded than the people around him. Lamar succeeds on both counts.
1 Trevor Phillips
To put it bluntly, Trevor is among the biggest loose cannons in the history of video games. He is a ruthless killer who sees himself as a serious businessman. And he routinely threatens and mistreats the people around him just for his own amusement. In fact, most of the chaotic things he does are just for his own sick enjoyment. So, he sounds like a truly evil villain.
But in the context of GTA 5, he's a protagonist and an entertaining one. Pretty much everything he says and does is so ridiculous that you can't help but laugh. Plus, most of GTA 5's memorable moments involve him in some way.