Complete List of All GTA: Vice City Characters (With Missions & Map Guide)

Released in 2002, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is still one of the most iconic open-world games ever. Set in the fictional 1980s Miami, the game isn’t just about speeding through the city in flashy cars; it’s about the unforgettable characters who shape Tommy Vercetti’s rise to power. In this blog, we’ll take a complete look at all GTA: Vice City characters, their missions, and even some tips on the best mission order so you can experience the game like a pro.

Why GTA: Vice City Characters Are So Memorable

Vice City doesn’t just throw missions at you – it ties them to quirky, dangerous, and larger-than-life personalities. Each character adds a unique flavour to the story, from crime bosses to DJs, from biker gang leaders to corrupt politicians. And if you’ve ever replayed the game, you probably know how meeting each character feels like flipping a new chapter in a thrilling crime novel.

Key Characters Who Give Missions in GTA: Vice City

The magic of Vice City lies in its colourful cast of characters. Each mission-giver isn’t just a name on the map—they’re personalities that shape Tommy Vercetti’s journey from a small-time gangster to the king of Vice City. Here’s a deeper look at the most important characters who hand out missions:

1. Tommy Vercetti (The Protagonist)

• Role: The main character and the man you control throughout the game.
• Backstory: Once a loyal member of the Forelli crime family in Liberty City, Tommy spent 15 years in prison after being set up. When he’s finally released, Sonny Forelli sends him to Vice City to handle a drug deal—but things go south, and Tommy must rebuild his empire from scratch.
• Missions:
  While Tommy doesn’t technically “give” missions to himself, every action in the game revolves around his rise to power. He becomes his own boss once he seizes Diaz’s mansion and starts building his empire.
• Fun Fact: Tommy is voiced by Hollywood actor Ray Liotta and was the first GTA protagonist to actually speak (unlike Claude from GTA III).

2. Ken Rosenberg

• Role: A jittery, cocaine-fueled lawyer with ties to the mob.
• Backstory: Ken is the guy who introduces Tommy to Vice City’s underworld. He’s nervous, always cracking under pressure, but somehow manages to be useful when Tommy needs legal or street connections.
• Missions:
  “The Party” – introduces Tommy to Colonel Cortez.
  “Back Alley Brawl” – helps him meet Kent Paul.
  Acts as a stepping stone into bigger deals and gang connections.
• Importance: He may seem weak, but Ken’s connections get Tommy into the right circles.

3. Lance Vance

• Role: Stylish partner-in-crime with a shady streak.
• Backstory: Lance teams up with Tommy because his brother was killed in a failed drug deal. While he becomes Tommy’s closest ally for a while, his thirst for recognition and money makes him unreliable.
• Missions:
  “Death Row” – where Tommy saves Lance from Diaz.
  He later betrays Tommy in the final act of the game.
• Importance: Lance is the classic “friend-turned-foe,” making him one of the most memorable characters in Vice City.

4. Ricardo Diaz

• Role: Wealthy, paranoid drug lord living in Starfish Island.
• Backstory: Diaz rules part of Vice City’s drug empire. He’s rich, flamboyant, and extremely suspicious of everyone around him (with good reason).
• Missions:
  “Rub Out” – Tommy and Lance take him down to seize his empire.
  Earlier missions involve thefts, hits, and shady drug deals.
• Importance: Diaz’s downfall marks the turning point when Tommy claims his mansion and establishes himself as Vice City’s new kingpin.

5. Sonny Forelli

• Role: Head of the Forelli crime family in Liberty City.
• Backstory: Sonny sends Tommy to Vice City as part of a drug operation. But after the deal goes wrong, he constantly pressures Tommy to send money back to Liberty. As Tommy grows more independent, Sonny becomes increasingly hostile.
• Missions:
  Appears mainly in the final act of the game.
  “Keep Your Friends Close…” – the climactic mission where Tommy finally cuts ties with Sonny forever.
• Importance: Sonny is the ultimate antagonist, representing Tommy’s past chains that he must break free from.

6. Umberto Robina

• Role: Leader of the Cuban gang.
• Backstory: Loud, proud, and always looking to prove the Cuban gang’s dominance, Umberto gives Tommy missions to fight against the rival Haitian gang.
• Missions:
  “Stunt Boat Challenge”
  “Naval Engagement”
  “Trojan Voodoo”
• Importance: Builds Tommy’s influence with the Cuban gang and adds to the Cuban-Haitian war storyline.

7. Auntie Poulet

• Role: Mysterious leader of the Haitian gang.
• Backstory: Poulet lures Tommy into helping her gang with “voodoo” drinks that manipulate his mind. For a while, Tommy is forced to work against the Cubans under her influence.
• Missions:
  “Juju Scramble”
  “Bombs Away”
  “Dirty Lickin’s”
• Importance: Creates the conflict between Cubans and Haitians that Tommy must navigate.

8. Kent Paul

• Role: Fast-talking music producer and hustler.
• Backstory: Based loosely on British DJ types of the 1980s, Kent Paul is always hanging around Vice City’s nightlife scene. He isn’t a main boss, but he connects Tommy with other characters.
• Missions:
  Doesn’t give direct missions but helps link Tommy to the Love Fist band and introduces him to other shady characters.
• Importance: Comic relief and a bridge into the entertainment side of Vice City.

9. Love Fist (The Rockstar Band)

• Role: A parody of over-the-top ’80s hair metal bands.
• Backstory: These Scottish rockers are constantly surrounded by chaos—stalkers, drug problems, and crazy fans. Tommy steps in as their “problem solver.”
• Missions:
  “Love Juice”
  “Psycho Killer”
  “Publicity Tour”
• Importance: Offers a hilarious break from the serious drug-lord storyline, showing Vice City’s mix of crime and pop culture.

10. Phil Cassidy

• Role: Hardcore patriot and weapons expert.
• Backstory: A fan-favorite who later appears in GTA: Vice City Stories and GTA: San Andreas. Phil runs an arms business and provides Tommy with heavy weapons and explosives.
• Missions:
  “Gun Runner”
  “Boomshine Saigon”
• Importance: Gives Tommy access to high-grade weapons, making him essential for the bigger missions ahead.

Other Supporting Mission Characters

While the above are the main mission-givers, several others make the storyline richer:

• Colonel Cortez – Retired military man who helps Tommy make high-profile connections.
• Mercedes Cortez – Colonel’s daughter and one of Tommy’s early Vice City contacts.
• Avery Carrington – Wealthy Texan real estate mogul who loves chaos to devalue property.
• Mitch Baker – Leader of the biker gang, helps Tommy earn respect from the bikers.

Also Read: 30 Useless Facts About GTA 5 You Didn’t Know!

Map Overlay of All Mission Start Points

I’d recommend using a map overlay of all mission start points in GTA: Vice City to easily find where each mission begins. Early ones are in Ocean Beach and Vice Point, then you’ll head to Little Havana (Cubans) and Little Haiti (Haitians). In Downtown, you’ll meet Love Fist and Mitch Baker, while Starfish Island has Diaz’s mansion that later becomes Tommy’s. You can even grab some extra side missions at the North Point Mall.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Where do I find all the missions in GTA: Vice City?” here’s the breakdown:

• Ocean Beach / Vice Point → Early missions (Ken Rosenberg, Colonel Cortez).
• Little Havana → Cuban gang missions (Umberto Robina).
• Little Haiti → Haitian gang missions (Auntie Poulet).
• Downtown → Rockstar & biker gang missions (Love Fist, Mitch Baker).
• Starfish Island → Diaz’s mansion (later Tommy’s).
• North Point Mall → Some fun side missions.

Pro Tip: Always grab safehouses around these mission hubs to save travel time.

Overview of All Missions in Vice City

Vice City has over 60 main storyline missions, divided across different characters:

• Ken Rosenberg Missions → The Lawyer phase (early game).
• Colonel Cortez Missions → Drug deals & betrayals.
• Diaz Missions → Big heists and power struggles.
• Gang Missions (Cuban & Haitian) → Street wars.
• Business Missions → Asset properties like Malibu Club, Print Works, and Sunshine Autos.
• Final Missions → Sonny Forelli’s showdown.
• Side missions like vigilante, taxi driver, and firetruck missions add flavour and unlock rewards.

Recommended Mission Completion Order

Here’s a quick look at how missions in GTA: Vice City are laid out—it’s what keeps the game so addictive. Things kick off with Ken Rosenberg’s lawyer jobs, then shift into Colonel Cortez’s shady drug deals, followed by Diaz’s high-stakes heists. Soon enough, you’re caught in Cuban vs. Haitian gang wars and managing business missions like the Malibu Club and Print Works, all leading up to the showdown with Sonny Forelli.

Here’s the best approach:

1. Start with Ken Rosenberg → Introduces the city.
2. Do Colonel Cortez missions → Builds connections.
3. Move on to Diaz → Helps you gain control.
4. Handle Lance + Business Assets → Expands money flow.
5. Complete Cuban vs. Haitian arcs → Prepares for gang control.
6. Buy & complete all assets → Unlocks final missions.
7. Finish with Sonny Forelli showdown → The grand finale.

Final Thoughts

GTA: Vice City isn’t just a game – it’s an ’80s crime saga filled with unforgettable characters. From the nervous lawyer Ken Rosenberg to the larger-than-life Ricardo Diaz, every character pulls you deeper into the neon-lit world of Vice City. So next time you hop into the game, don’t just rush through missions, pay attention to the characters, their quirks, and how they mirror real-life personalities. That’s what makes Vice City timeless.

Also Read: GTA Vice City Weapons: List Of All Weapons And Stats

With that said, I hope you had fun reading about all the characters of GTA Vice City! Please let us know about any additional facts you may have. Don’t forget to check out our website for even more informative posts and guides. For more tips and tricks and the latest updates related to GTA and Rockstar Games, make sure you follow us on our X and Instagram pages.