Michael Real Name: Michael De Santa (born Michael Townley) (GTA Character Bio)

Fictional character. Michael De Santa (born Michael Townley) is a fictional character from Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto series. They're not a real person.

Quick answer

Michael De Santa (born Michael Townley) is one of GTA V's three fictional protagonists, a retired bank robber played by Ned Luke.

Bio

Michael De Santa is one of the three protagonists of Grand Theft Auto V, set in Los Santos and the surrounding state of San Andreas. He's played by Ned Luke, who provides both his voice and his motion-capture performance.

Michael is a retired bank robber. His real name is Michael Townley, and he spent years robbing banks across the Midwest with his partner Trevor Philips. After a job in North Yankton went wrong, Michael made a secret deal with the FIB, the game's version of the FBI. With the help of FIB agent Dave Norton, he faked his own death and moved to Los Santos under a new name, in an off-the-books deal rather than official witness protection.

When GTA V begins, Michael seems to have everything: a mansion, money and a family. In reality, he's miserable. His wife Amanda is cheating on him, his son Jimmy is lazy and rude, and his daughter Tracey is chasing fame. Michael sees a therapist, Dr. Friedlander, and spends his days drinking and watching old films.

Michael's life changes when he meets Franklin Clinton, a young repo man. After a mistake brings them together, Michael takes Franklin under his wing. When Michael has to pay back a dangerous man, he goes back to robbing banks with Franklin and Lester Crest, and his return to crime brings Trevor back into his life.

Michael's story is about middle age, regret and the gap between who he is and who he pretends to be. Fans especially value his scenes with his family and his tense, emotional relationship with Trevor.

Michael is fictional, but Ned Luke's credit is listed in the official GTA V credits.