Franklin Clinton is one of the three protagonists of Grand Theft Auto V and later appears as a major character in Grand Theft Auto Online as the owner of F. Clinton and Partner.
Franklin Clinton is a Los Santos native and one of the three playable protagonists of Grand Theft Auto V. Born and raised in South Los Santos, Franklin begins as a small-time hustler and vehicle repossession agent before becoming involved in high-profile criminal work through Michael De Santa. In Grand Theft Auto Online, he returns as a successful businessman and co-owner of F. Clinton and Partner.
Franklin was born in South Los Santos in 1988. After losing his mother at a young age, he was raised by his grandparents and later lived with his aunt Denise Clinton on Forum Drive in Strawberry. Before meeting Michael De Santa, Franklin worked with Lamar Davis for Simeon Yetarian as a vehicle repossession agent while trying to move beyond the limitations of gang life.
During Grand Theft Auto V, Franklin meets Michael De Santa while repossessing a vehicle from the De Santa family. Michael becomes a mentor figure to Franklin and pulls him into larger criminal jobs, including heists, FIB-related operations and the Union Depository score. Franklin frequently acts as the calmest member of the trio and often mediates between Michael and Trevor Philips.
By the events of Grand Theft Auto Online in 2021, Franklin has become a wealthy entrepreneur and co-founder of F. Clinton and Partner, a celebrity solutions agency. Working with the GTA Online Protagonist, Imani and Lamar Davis, Franklin helps high-profile clients such as Dr. Dre while maintaining his ties to Michael, Trevor and Lester.
Franklin is ambitious, calm, practical and often more level-headed than Michael or Trevor. He wants to escape the limitations of his old neighborhood and build a better life, but his ambition sometimes leads him into dangerous partnerships. Despite accusations of disloyalty from people around him, Franklin repeatedly shows loyalty to Lamar, Michael and his closest allies.
In Grand Theft Auto V, Franklin is portrayed as a fit and fashion-conscious young man from South Los Santos. In Grand Theft Auto Online, he appears older, with visible grey hairs and heavier stubble, reflecting the years between GTA V and The Contract update.
Franklin’s special ability allows him to slow down time while driving, giving him improved control during high-speed chases, sharp turns and drive-by situations. This reflects his skill as one of the best drivers among the GTA V protagonists.
Michael becomes Franklin’s mentor and introduces him to larger criminal operations.
Trevor eventually becomes one of Franklin’s closest criminal partners.
Lamar Davis is Franklin’s longtime best friend from South Los Santos.
Tanisha eventually reunites with Franklin and later becomes his wife.
Imani works together with Franklin at F. Clinton and Partner.
Lester Crest works with Franklin on multiple heists and operations.
Dr. Dre becomes one of Franklin’s most important clients during The Contract update.
Franklin is closely associated with his unique white Buffalo S in Grand Theft Auto V.
“Look homie, I do not mind dying. But I just want to die over something that matters.”
“Bitchass bullshit.”
“I boost cars and pop people. Maturity is not really my thing.”
“My bad, homie. I picked C. Ain’t that a bitch?”
“Now the streets, I know real good, because that is where I am from.”