Grand Theft Auto 6 is now less than a year away, and as the wait quickly grows shorter, the anticipation is mounting. Rockstar has continued to tease Grand Theft Auto 6 with two mind-blowing cinematic trailers and brief details regarding its characters and setting of Vice City and the greater state of Leonida.
When it comes to the characters set to make up the game's roster, GTA 6 is promising a cast of strong and compelling personalities. Dual protagonists Jason and Lucia give off serious Bonnie and Clyde vibes, while secondary roles like Cal Hampton and Dre'Quan Priest assist in telling the game's crime-filled story. Over the years, the GTA franchise has featured some of gaming's most iconic characters, but the next entry unfortunately marks the end of a series regular: Lazlow Jones. GTA 6 not featuring Lazlow Jones is a surprising development, but it could also pave the way for the franchise's future cameos.
As Lazlow Jones Exits Grand Theft Auto, a Brand-New Face Could Take Over His Role
Lazlow Jones' Work With Rockstar Spanned Two Decades
- Lazlow first appeared in GTA 3 back in 2001.
With this being the first GTA game in 25 years to not feature Lazlow, it truly marks the end of an era. Jones has worked as a frequent creative collaborator and developer with Rockstar on a variety of projects, but his place in the GTA universe is definitely his most notable. The real Lazlow Jones has been working with former GTA producer and writer Dan Houser at Absurd Ventures since 2020, so this departure is likely the reason he won't be present in GTA 6. As Rockstar looks to the future, so does Jones, and while his absence from GTA 6 will be sad, it also raises a question about who could step in as the franchise's ongoing in-game celebrity.
Lazlow'z first physical appearance was in GTA 5 as the shady host of Fame or Shame.
Who Could Be GTA 6's Go-To Media Personality?
This is the big question, and there probably won't be answers until GTA 6 launches. It's possible that another Rockstar dev could step into the role, but there's also the chance that a celebrity may move into the spot. Taking over a 25-year legacy is far from an easy task, but if the right person takes on the challenge, then it could prove to be a wonderful new era for the series.
The GTA franchise is no stranger to celebrity cameos. Between major names like the late Ray Liotta and hip hop legend Dr. Dre, some true heavy-hitters have been featured throughout the series. However, having a fresh face would potentially be the best option, as it could make a new character feel more like they are part of the GTA world, like Lazlow did. A non-celebrity face helps sell this type of character better, but only time will tell if GTA 6 has its own version of Lazlow.
GTA 6 launches on May 26, 2026.
GTA 6's Next Announcement Remains a Mystery
With the first-ever GTA 6 trailer breaking the internet at the end of 2023 and the second arriving in May of this year, there's no telling when Rockstar will offer another update. The expectations for GTA 6 are incredibly high, and as its launch date grows more visible in the distance, a gameplay sneak peek and announcement of an online version are bound to be around the corner.
The Game Awards premiere on December 11, and while it's possible that new GTA 6 footage will be revealed at the event, Rockstar often likes to make announcements on its own terms. GTA 6 is promising a big world filled with drama and sweat-inducing moments, and once the game is finally here, it will be interesting to see if a new Lazlow-inspired character makes their debut.
OpenCritic Reviews
- Released
- November 19, 2026
- ESRB
- Rating Pending - Likely Mature 17+
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
