Franklin Clinton, one of the three playable protagonists in Grand Theft Auto 5, mirrors the real-life experiences of Shawn Fonteno, the actor who portrayed him. In the game, Franklin delves into the world of organized crime in Los Santos, committing thefts and facing off against rival gangs in his quest for recognition. Fonteno shared with Cenat during a live stream that his own life had many parallels to Franklin’s, having been involved in drug dealing and surviving multiple gunshot wounds.
In an interview, Fonteno revealed that he had to interview at Rockstar for the role of Franklin and was surprised when he got the part. Despite initial doubts, Fonteno’s voice and personality ultimately won the creators over, leading to his iconic portrayal of Franklin in the game.
While Fonteno maintains a positive relationship with Rockstar Games, he remained tight-lipped about any potential involvement in Grand Theft Auto 6. Fans can catch his full conversation with Cenat on YouTube, but should be aware that the video contains explicit language and racial slurs used in a casual context.