Florida Man Known as ‘Florida Joker’ Claims Grand Theft Auto 6 Used His Likeness in Trailer
A Florida man, previously dubbed the “Florida Joker” due to his distinctive facial tattoos reminiscent of the supervillain, is making headlines for accusing the popular video game franchise Grand Theft Auto (GTA) of using his likeness in a promotional video for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI.
The controversy emerged after Rockstar Games, the developer of the Grand Theft Auto series, released the first trailer for GTA VI on December 4, reintroducing gamers to the fictional city of “Vice City,” inspired by Miami. The trailer showcased various Florida tropes and characters, and some social media users quickly noticed a character with facial tattoos and colored hair in a courtroom scene, resembling the “Florida Joker.”
Lawrence Sullivan, the man behind the “Florida Joker” moniker, gained internet fame in 2017 when his mugshot went viral. The tattoo model from Miami, known for his vibrant facial tattoos and green hair, was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed firearm at the time.
In a TikTok video posted by Sullivan, he expressed his displeasure with Grand Theft Auto VI allegedly using his likeness. “You might have seen that character on GTA 6, [they] just dropped the trailer today,” Sullivan said in the video. “You know, they got that character with the face tattoos, you know who they got that inspired by. By me! Just look me up: Florida Joker, Miami Joker, you know what I’m talking about.”
While the character in the game has some differences, such as purple hair instead of green and slight variations in facial tattoos, the resemblance is hard to ignore. Social media users and gaming enthusiasts were quick to point out the similarities, with gaming website IGN even highlighting the character as one of the notable Florida references in the game.
Following the TikTok video, Sullivan posted photos comparing himself to the GTA VI character, garnering reactions and comments from his followers, including jokes about a potential lawsuit against GTA 6.
As for the game itself, the trailer introduces players to the franchise’s first female protagonist, Lucia, set to Tom Petty’s “Love Is A Long Road.” The leaked information from 2022 suggested there are two protagonists in the game: Lucia and her partner. The trailer hints at the characters being entangled in a “gang-related mess,” with Lucia emphasizing the importance of teamwork to overcome challenges.
Despite the controversy and claims made by the “Florida Joker,” Grand Theft Auto VI’s trailer has already gained immense popularity, amassing over 130 million views on YouTube within a short period.