Claude

''This article is about the protagonist of Grand Theft Auto III. For other characters see Claude (disambiguation).''

Claude is a character in the Grand Theft Auto series who appears as the protagonist of Grand Theft Auto III, and as a minor character in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. There is a speculation on whether or not this is the same Claude as Claude Speed from Grand Theft Auto 2, with Rockstar just answering "probably". There is no voice actor for Claude, as he does not speak in any of his appearances.

Background
Nothing is known about Claude's life before 1992, other than he had emerged as a top contender in an illegal racing ring and owned an abandoned garage in Doherty, San Fierro.

Racing with Carl Johnson
Claude, in 1992, became involved with Catalina, who had recently split up with Carl "CJ" Johnson, before racing CJ in a losing effort. Following the loss, he hands over his garage to Carl Johnson, before leaving San Andreas with Catalina. The two head to Liberty City where they embark on a nine year crime spree ending with Catalina's betrayal.

Bank Heist and Jailbreak
Claude and Catalina robbed a bank in Liberty City. Catalina, however, turns on her boyfriend, shooting him and leaving him for dead, mentioning that "I'm an ambitious girl, and you're just small time". Claude is arrested by the Liberty City Police Department. He is convicted of all charges and is sentenced to ten years in prison. While being transferred to a prison in Portland View, Claude escapes from a police convoy after the Colombian Cartel attack the convoy to free the Oriental Gentleman. Claude and 8-Ball escape to a safehouse in the Red Light District, before moving on to Luigi's Sex Club 7. Luigi Goterelli, the owner, gives Claude his first job in the city, to drive Misty from the hospital back to the club.

The Leone family
Claude, successful in his errand, continues to be employed by Goterelli, who also has him kill a drug dealer and two pimps, before having him drive Misty to Joey Leone's Garage. Claude then begins to work for Joey, killing both Mike Forelli and Lee Chong, before chauffering Toni Cipriani, later working for him against the Triads. Claude, impressing the Leone Family hierarchy, is introduced to the Don, Salvatore Leone. Salvatore, 'seeing nothing but good things' for Claude, has him looking after his 'girl' Maria for the evening, kill Curly Bob (who was selling secrets to the Colombian Cartel, now co-led by Catalina) and later destroy a freighter used as a factory for the drug SPANK. During this time, Claude also works for El Burro, the leader of the Diablos, helping him on various tasks, and Marty Chonks in his attempts to get out of his various problems.

The Yakuza
After destroying the Cartel freighter, a paranoid Salvatore attempts to kill Claude by having him enter a bomb-laden car. Salvatore's wife Maria, however, pages Claude and directs him to a small pier where the two meet Asuka Kasen, co-leader of the Yakuza, and flee to Staunton Island after Maria had told her husband that she and Claude were an "item". Asuka, unconvinced of Claude's loyalty, has him kill Salvatore Leone to prove himself, before having him kill a number of other people causing her problems. She later introduces him to her brother Kenji and Ray Machowski, a corrupt police man working for the Yakuza. Claude helps Kenji with his problems, including settling debts and freeing a man from prison, and helps Machowski in his attempts to remain unnoticed, eventually helping him flee the city by the airport.

Later Jobs The Exchange and Death
Claude continues to look for work and finds employment with King Courtney, who has him attack the Diablos before attempting to kill him on orders from Catalina, and Donald Love, who has him kill Kenji Kasen disguised as a Colombian Cartel gangster to provoke a war. Asuka, unaware of Claude's role in her brother's near death, launches an assault on a Cartel-controlled building site and begins to torture Miguel, co-leader of the Cartel, into giving away Cartel secrets. Armed with the information, Asuka sends Claude on various missions to hurt Cartel operations, including stopping the selling of and stealing a shipment of SPANK. Claude briefly finds employment with D-Ice, leader of the Red Jacks sub-sect of the Southside Hoods, and attacks the rival Purple Nines into defeat. Claude returns to the building site and finds Asuka and Miguel are both dead, whilst a ransom note for Maria is left for him.

Claude goes to the Cartel mansion, escapes an ambush, destroys a helicopter piloted by Catalina, thus killing her, and rescues Maria. Claude, at the end of GTA III, may have killed Maria as he fires a shot while she is talking.

Its is known that Joey Leone in 2008, before fleeing to Vice city Ordered Playboy X to plant a bomb in Claude's car via 8-Ball.

==     Personality ==

Claude is a calm and serious man who appears almost emotionless regardless of any situation. Provided he is paid for his services, he will take orders from his bosses without restraint and usually gives a nod or two to show that he understands; even when he is getting scolded or shouted at by his bosses for doing something wrong. He also bows down to his bosses if required (as in Kenji Kasen's case when Kenji bows down to Claude).

Claude never speaks, and will only make a slight grunt when he is hurt, or an "Oh!" whenever he is killed. Unlike other protagonists, he doesn't even comment or deride his enemies, but may give a driver in a passing vehicle the fist or finger while crossing roads.

Claude remains true to his mission of finding and taking revenge on Catalina for leaving him for dead, even showing the slightest bit of pity for Maria when he allows her to live after freeing her, only to possibly kill her himself.

Mission appearances
GTA III

As the protagonist, he appears in every mission.

GTA San Andreas

Wu Zi Mu

Farewell, My Love...

Characters murdered by Claude
Mike Forelli - killed on orders from Joey Leone after the Forelli Brothers did not repay their debts.

Lee Chong - killed on orders from Joey Leone for selling SPANK through his noodle stands.

Curly Bob - killed on orders from Salvatore Leone.

Salvatore Leone - killed on orders from Asuka Kasen to prove his loyalty to the Yakuza.

Tanner - killed on orders from Asuka Kasen for being an undercover policeman.

Leon McAffrey - killed on orders from Ray Machowski.

Kenji Kasen - killed on orders from Donald Love.

Catalina - killed for betraying him during a bank heist.

Optional murders
Carl - can be killed after he kills Marty Chonks.

Chico - can be killed after he sells drugs to Maria.

D-Ice's Brother - Can be killed during the mission Rumble.

Possible murders
Maria - possibly killed after being rescued from The Colombian Cartel.

Development
Claude is one of the few non-player characters in the game that does not speak. This was a choice Rockstar Games made at the start of the development process, as "we had so many other problems to solve and this did not seem like a major issue". Having a silent protagonist would also help players identify with the character.

He was designed with the the idea in mind that he was a strong, silent killer, who would contrast with the neurotic and loud mobsters that he would work for, whilst also seeming stronger and in control.

Since Claude has a slight resemblance with movie actor Clint Eastwood, the development of the character might be somewhat based on him.