For other characters with the same name, see Jimmy.
James "Jimmy" De Santa, formerly James Townley, is a character in the Grand Theft Auto series, appearing as a main character and tritagonist to Michael De Santa in Grand Theft Auto V, and as a supporting character in Grand Theft Auto Online, as part of The Diamond Casino Heist update.
He is voiced by Danny Tamberelli.
History[]
Background[]
Jimmy is the son of Michael and Amanda De Santa, and the younger brother of Tracey. Born in 1993, he and his family lived in a trailer park in the Midwest while his father, Michael, ran a career in bank robbing. At some point, Michael's partners-in-crime, Trevor Philips and Brad Snider met Jimmy and his family. In 2004, Michael, fearing for his family's safety, faked his own death during a failed heist in Ludendorff, North Yankton, and moved his family to Los Santos, San Andreas. During this time, his relationship with his family became strained, due to their very different lifestyle choices and personalities, in Jimmy's case, his videogame and drug habits, along with his disrespectful attitude.
Jimmy used to play baseball as a child, as seen in a photograph at the De Santa Residence.
Events of Grand Theft Auto V[]
Broken relationship[]
In 2013, Jimmy purchases a yellow BeeJay XL SUV from Simeon Yetarian's dealership, unaware that he's falling victim to a credit fraud scheme. Later, as he plays Righteous Slaughter 7 and argues with Tracey, Franklin Clinton breaks into the De Santa Residence to reposess the car.
Later, Jimmy attempts to sell Michael's yacht for drug money, but the "buyers" decide to steal it, instead. Jimmy, hiding in the head of the boat, frantically calls Michael to tell him what happened, who, in Amanda's Sentinel and with the recently befriended Franklin, quickly catches up to the yacht as it's being transported down the freeway. Franklin jumps aboard and manages to rescue Jimmy, but they lose the yacht. Michael asks Franklin to get Amanda's car repaired and take Jimmy home, while he leaves to take time to himself. While he initially protests, Jimmy accompanies Franklin and tries to relate to him, albeit unsuccessfully.
Michael yelling at Jimmy after the former smashes the latter's TV.
Later on, as Jimmy is playing videogames, he shouts insults through his headset so much that his dad cannot hear the dialogue of the film he is trying to watch in the living room, downstairs. Michael angrily marches upstairs and gets into an argument with Jimmy, which ends when Michael smashes Jimmy's television with a chair. After calming down, Michael attempts to bond with Jimmy by going on a bike ride together. Knowing that Tracey was partying with porn producers on a boat that day, Jimmy suggests that they go biking down Vespucci Beach, where he planned to lead Michael to the boat Tracey was on, hoping the idea of Tracey hanging out with porn producers would make his father angry. They drive to the beach and race to the end of Del Perro Pier, where Jimmy points out the boat Tracey is on, and tells Michael about what she was doing. As Jimmy expected, Michael gets angry and dives into the ocean, swimming to the boat to get his daughter. Afterwards, Michael and Tracey meet up with Jimmy on the beach. Tracey, angry at Jimmy for telling their father where she was, storms off, while Jimmy follows.
Eventually, Michael finds a block of Weed belonging to Jimmy in the fridge. As he walks into the kitchen to get it, Michael taunts him with it, causing Jimmy to insult Michael, who responds by angrily confronting him. The situation only defuses with appearance of Trevor, Michael's old partner-in-crime, to everyone's surprise. After an awkward reunion, in which Trevor comments on how Jimmy used to be thinner, he and Michael inquire to him about Tracey's location, to which he tells them that she is auditioning for the TV talent show Fame or Shame as a dancer. Knowing that Tracey will likely embarrass herself on TV, Michael and Trevor rush off to the Maze Bank Arena, where the auditions are being held.
Leaving his father[]
Jimmy pushing Michael out of the car.
After Michael nearly gets into a fight with Amanda's Yoga instructor, Fabien LaRouche, Amanda storms out and leaves. He goes upstairs and asks Jimmy to hang out with him, which Jimmy protests, but concedes to. Jimmy decides to go meet his friend, Ahron Ward at Burger Shot to pick up drugs from him. While on the way there, Michael tries to talk to Jimmy and relate to him, but Jimmy simply blows him off. During the drive home after picking up the drugs, Jimmy tricks Michael into taking a sip of a drink he picked up, the latter unaware that it was spiked with an anesthetic. Michael soon starts feeling dizzy and Jimmy throws him out onto the street before driving away.
Afterwards, Jimmy takes Michael's car, along with some of his money, and moves out. Amanda reveals to Michael in a letter that Jimmy had twisted the story and told her Michael had willing taken drugs while driving him, further convincing her to leave him. Jimmy later texts Michael asking if he can give him another $1,000. Michael simply ignores his request.
Jimmy later returns Michael's car to his house, heavily modified. He explains in a text that, despite his "improvements" (a set of rims with large dollar signs on them, a "La Cucaracha" tune horn, a small spoiler, and a few low/mid-level performance upgrades), it is still an uncool "old man car", and he can't allow himself to be seen in one, also implying in a side comment that the Hispanics in his new neighborhood were starting to give him angry looks over his choice of car horn.
Reunited family[]
Later, Michael passes out drinking whisky and is woken by Jimmy, who has returned alone and makes a clumsy attempt at reconciliation. Michael reacts apathetically, though does inquire about Amanda. Jimmy informs his father that Amanda remains angry at Michael, though is also bored, having realized that a relationship with Fabien wasn't the ideal way to get back at Michael that she thought it would be, and is waiting for Michael to turn up and prove that he is still committed to his family. Jimmy then accompanies Michael to pick up Amanda and Tracey, who join Jimmy and Michael in a session with Dr. Friedlander. Despite the clear tensions which remain, Michael's family agrees to move back in.
Devin, Jimmy and Michael at the premiere.
Later, Jimmy accompanies his father to the premiere of his film production debut, Meltdown. However, when they arrive there, they notice that Amanda and Tracey are nowhere to be found. Devin Weston, who is angry at Michael when his attempts to stop him from canning the movie resulted in the accidental death of his lawyer, then shows up and hints that they both are in trouble. Michael and Jimmy return to the house to find a private security group, Merryweather are holding Amanda and Tracey hostage. Michael kills most of the mercenaries, but one of them catches Michael off guard and holds him at gunpoint. Jimmy then shuts off the power to the house, and, while wearing a soldier uniform and night-vision goggles, knocks out the Merryweather thug, but teabags Michael by mistake. After this, Jimmy, Amanda, and Tracey leave the mansion for their own safety.
Later, Jimmy gets kidnapped by a comedy writer for trolling and harassing him online. He phones Michael and secretly reveals his location, giving Michael the option to come rescue him. If he chooses to do so, Michael will catch up to the kidnapper's car and ram it a few times, causing the kidnapper and his associates to get out and run away. Afterwards, Michael drops Jimmy off at The Richman Hotel. If Michael does not agree to help, the kidnapper will ransom Jimmy, forcing Michael to pay $9,500.
Ending[]
- Michael: "It's good to be a family again. I'm so happy to have you all back."
- Jimmy: "All that fighting was kinda shitty."
- Michael: "It's going to be better now. I promise."
- —Michael and Jimmy hanging out after the end of the storyline.
Jimmy does not call any of the protagonists.
Jimmy calls Michael saying that he just heard about Trevor's death, to which Michael will reply saying that Trevor was a dangerous man and that his death was the best for them. Jimmy will be shocked to hear this and realizes that his father was involved in Trevor's assassination.
Jimmy will also call Franklin to ask about Trevor's death. Franklin will say that Trevor was a crazy man and that it is best if Jimmy just moves on with his life.
After this, Michael is unable to hang out with Jimmy but Franklin can still hang out with him.
Jimmy calls Franklin two times. In the first call, he tells Franklin that his dad has disappeared and asks if he knows his whereabouts, to which Franklin replies that he doesn't. In the second call, he reveals that he knows Michael is dead and emotionally asks what Franklin knows about it. Franklin gets nervous and starts to stammer on his answer, which Jimmy picks up on, and it doesn't take long for him to deduce that Franklin was involved with Michael's death. He insults Franklin and hangs up the phone.
Jimmy will also call Trevor, letting him know about Michael's death. Trevor will not know what to say to comfort Jimmy, but tells him that he sends his best to Amanda. After this, both Trevor and Franklin are unable to hang out with Jimmy.
Jimmy and his family then move out of the De Santa residence, which is put up for sale.
Events of Grand Theft Auto Online[]
The Diamond Casino Heist[]
Jimmy working in the GTA Online Protagonist's arcade.
Six years after the events of Grand Theft Auto V, Jimmy makes his debut in Grand Theft Auto Online as a supporting character in The Diamond Casino Heist update. He appears during the first cutscene when the player purchases an arcade as a new employee working for the "arcade" portion of the business under Wendy's supervision, having been offered a job by 'Uncle Les' Crest, ahead of any potential applicants. Having been told the position was 'in games' by Lester, he is somewhat dismayed that the business is a retro arcade rather than being involved in the e-sports scene as he had assumed. He nevertheless accepts, albeit reluctantly, and is reminded by Lester that "everyone has to start somewhere". He is initially relegated to sweeping the floors and helping clean up the disused building, to later setting up arcade machines. Although Lester is skeptical of how long Jimmy will last, claiming he won't last a week, he continues to be employed after the arcade officially opens for business and can be found within.
The Chop Shop[]
As of 2024, Jimmy makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in The Cluckin' Bell Farm Raid as part of the continuation of The Chop Shop update. He is briefly seen from afar, purchasing drugs from Ahron Ward at the Burger Shot in Vespucci. His apparel is the same as his previous appearance during The Diamond Casino Heist. Jimmy plays no role in the storyline whatsoever.
The drug deal happening in plain sight from the Vespucci Police Station is used as an example of the corrupt LSPD police turning a blind eye to crime.
Character[]
Personality[]
Dan Houser has described Jimmy as a 20-year-old, whiny pot smoker, who is prominently very lazy and addicted to video games. During Michael's character trailer, Jimmy can be seen playing on a video game console in his bedroom. When he plays video games, he shouts insults at other players through his headset about their mothers, their sexuality, and how bad they are at the game.
Jimmy shows much cowardice in the storyline. He is visibly resentful and afraid of his father, as when he tries to stand up to him, he backs down as soon as Michael comes back at him with aggression. He blames his dad for all of his own failings and is quick to shift the blame for any of his own poorly thought actions onto his father's loose morals and shady past. Being aware of Michael's checkered past, it seems Jimmy does not trust his father to be anything but angry or depressed. This culminates in an incident where he drugs Michael, then steals his car and takes some of his money to get his own place, a move which backfires horribly for Jimmy.
Later in the storyline, Jimmy starts to mature and show trust and love for his father and his family. He saves them after a Merryweather goon knocks Michael down and prepares to shoot him, by hitting the goon on the head with a bong. Also, if Franklin chooses to kill Michael, Jimmy will mourn his father's death. He stops insulting other players and admits to his dad that calling people "gay" isn't cool anymore because he has gay friends. Jimmy also starts to accept that his situation isn't entirely Michael's fault, but rather his own as well, and starts to exercise and look for a job. Among his other unrealistic plans for a career, the biggest one is to be a comedian, as he reveals to his father and Trevor.
Amanda is the only person Jimmy shows respect to, with Amanda defending Jimmy when Michael berates him for his laziness and unemployment.
Jimmy and Tracey have a strained relationship, with the early stages of the game showing them trading insults with each other. Both view the other as leading an immature and self-destructive lifestyle, with Tracey treating Jimmy like a kid and Jimmy treating her in a misogynistic way. Following Reuniting the Family, however, their relationship begins to improve. Jimmy also saved her and their parents from Merryweather, after their home was attacked, showing he loves her in spite of their problems.
Jimmy, along with Tracey, has a fondness for Trevor Philips, with both addressing him as "Uncle T".
His favourite musical genre appears to be hip-hop, as he has OG Loc and Madd Dogg CDs, dresses in a very "urban" fashion, and his favourite radio station appears to be West Coast Classics. He also seems to have a liking for rock music, with posters for Los Santos Rock Radio and bands such as Softly Softly Catchy Monkey, BBQ Spaceflight, Sorry Commode, Fatal Incursion and Anguished Cornhole adorning his bedroom walls.
Appearance[]
Jimmy is a redheaded, overweight young man of medium height, shorter than the rest of his family and other characters. His favorite outfit consists of a red and black Fruntalot "De Santa 07" baseball jersey with a white undershirt, a pair of grayish blue jeans with red, black and white sneakers and a silver necklace with a star pendant to match. Because of the way he acts and dresses, he appears to be mimicking the appearance and personality of a gangster rapper. He has many tattoos, one of which reads "Edifica adversario tuo aureum pons ad receptum trans.", which translates to "Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across." He also has the word "entitled" tattooed on the side of his neck.
For his appearance in The Diamond Casino Heist, Jimmy's hair is longer and strawberry blond. He also sports a black Güffy hoodie, sunglasses and a black hat.
Prominent Appearances in Missions[]
Grand Theft Auto V[]
- Franklin and Lamar
- Complications
- Father/Son
- Marriage Counseling (Post-mission phone call)
- Daddy's Little Girl (Boss)
- Friend Request (Post-mission phone call)
- Fame or Shame
- Did Somebody Say Yoga?
- Caida Libre (Post-mission phone call)
- Derailed (Post-mission message)
- Bury the Hatchet (Post-mission phone call)
- Reuniting the Family
- Lamar Down (Post-mission message; only if Legal Trouble completed first)
- Legal Trouble (Post-mission phone call; only if Lamar Down completed first)
- Meltdown
- Parenting 101 (Boss; optional)
- Something Sensible (Option A; Post-mission phone call)
- The Time's Come (Option B; Post-mission phone call)
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
The Diamond Casino Heist[]
- Setup: Equipment
- Setup: Casino Scoping
- Casino Heist (First playthrough only)
The Chop Shop[]
Gallery[]
Grand Theft Auto V[]
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
Trivia[]
- Jimmy may be based on AJ Soprano from the HBO Series The Sopranos. They are both lazy underachievers with criminals as fathers. Michael purchased Jimmy a yellow SUV, and Tony Soprano does the same for AJ in the show.
- Sometimes, Jimmy can be heard watching pornography in his locked bedroom. If Michael tries to enter, Jimmy will tell him to go away. The same sometimes also occurs to Tracey, where moaning and other suggestive sounds are heard inside her bedroom.
- After the mission "Reuniting the Family" Jimmy can be seen in the living room of Michael's house creating a resumé for a job, at times he will say, "Should I put my K/D ratio on my resumé?" If the player looks closely or zooms into the laptop screen, Niko Bellic's Lifeinvader profile is visible. He also starts to do exercises. Also, whenever Jimmy is playing video games, he can be seen sitting upright on his bed rather than slouching back. He also no longer shouts profanities and keeps quiet.
- If Jimmy is injured by one of the three protagonists, he will be hospitalized like the other supporting characters, but unlike Tracey and Amanda, Jimmy remains calm when he texts back Michael, Franklin or Trevor about his condition.
- Also after Jimmy is hospitalized, he may text the protagonist who injured him that he had a near death experience and is going to get a job. After this, Jimmy’s voice mail changes to a more formal tone than his basic one, where he lists off various ‘gangsta’ sounding nicknames.
- When Franklin hangs out with Jimmy, he says "so, we're a set now, is this what's going on?" and Franklin tries to convince Jimmy they are only two guys hanging out, but Jimmy requests going to Davis and shooting some Ballas before yelling "Families for life!" Then Franklin tells him he better knock him out to save him from himself, because shouting "Families for life!" will cause controversy, especially for him.
- While all three protagonists can hang out with Jimmy for social activities, Franklin is the only protagonist who can take Jimmy drinking or to the strip club during friend activities. Jimmy will sometimes suggest drinking while hanging out with Michael or Trevor as they approach a bar but they reject the idea due to Jimmy being underage.
References[]
- ↑ (Video)“I was there, twenty years ago, or whatever, when a bank robber knocked up a stripper. I knew that only sadness would come out of that union, and I shoulda done something.— Trevor to Jimmy during Friend Activities.
- ↑ Jimmy is described as being 20 years old (in 2013) by Dan Houser.
In one of the friend conversations between Trevor and Jimmy, Trevor claims Jimmy was around 12 years old during the events of the Prologue in 2004. (Video) - ↑ Oversights:
When asking Trevor to take him to a bar, Jimmy says he's "almost twenty". This is likely an oversight. (Video)
In GTA Online: The Diamond Casino Heist, Jimmy also claims he's 21 years old (in 2019) to the GTA Online Protagonist if they catch him drinking. This is also an oversight.
- GameInformer December issue.
- Grand Theft Auto V - Second Trailer.