Artwork of Toni Cipriani
Antonio "Toni" Cipriani is the playable protagonist in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. A recurring character, Toni had previously appeared with a major role in Grand Theft Auto III. In Grand Theft Auto III, Claude, the game's protagonist, is introduced to Toni Cipriani by Salvatore Leone's son, Joey Leone, who indicates Toni's position as a capo for Salvatore Leone. Early missions with Cipriani were primarily focused on extorting protection money from a Triad-controlled laundromat, by destroying several of the business's delivery trucks. Coupled with a Triad attack during the transportation of the Family's high-ranked members to one of Don Salvatore's meetings, a full-blown war between the Leone Family and the Triads occurred, and Claude was now an enemy to the Triads. The war led to the destruction of the Triads' fish factory, with Toni instructing Claude to deliver a garbage truck armed with a bomb to the factory.
Toni lives with his mother, Ma Cipriani, and is frequently seen in his family-run restaurant, Momma's Restaurante (or Cipriani's Ristorante, as seen in its sign at the restaurant), providing jobs for Claude. The constant nagging from his mother about him not being able to match up with his father and failing to meet up to her expectations had forced him to call the local chat radio station, Chatterbox FM, and complain about his mother's constant bickering. It is believed that Toni will take control of the Leone Mafia Family, simpy because, Joey Leone, Salvatore Leone's son, hasn't exactly done much to help the family.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
Toni Cipriani in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.
In Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, Toni Cipriani assumes the role of the playable character and protagonist of the game. GTA:LCS explores Toni's history and exploits in 1998 Liberty City, three years prior to events in GTA III.
Toni Cipriani left Liberty City for several years and kept a low profile after killing a "made man" for Don Salvatore Leone. He finally returned to the city in 1998, ready to continue his life of organized crime. Toni is given jobs by a grateful Salvatore Leone, but because he was out of town for so many years, other members of Salvatore's Leone Mafia family have had the time to move up in the hierarchy. Salvatore was forced to strip Toni of his rank and give the position to Vincenzo Cilli during his leave of absence. Toni now finds himself as a low-ranking goon that has to once again gain favor with the Don, in order to secure a leadership position in the Leone Mafia family.
Toni Cipriani as he escorts Toshiko Kasen into an opera house in Liberty City Stories. Toni is depicted in the game to be much thinner than his depiction in GTA III, which takes place three years later. Much of his efforts in achieving this goal include battling two other Mafia families (the Forellis and the Sindaccos) via several means, allowing him to be "made" halfway through the storyline. Later, he fought the local Yakuza on orders by the Yakuza leader's displeased wife, and finally the Sicilian mob, which key member Massimo Torini has intended to wipe out the Liberty City Mafia families and assume control of their territories. With Massimo successfully killed by Toni, the Leones are assured to control Liberty City, with mayor Miles O'Donovan under the Leone's influence. At the end of the game Toni is given payment for his help, and it is suggested that he is promoted to become Salvatore Leone's capo.
Toni's behavior in scenes of the game suggest that he is very loyal but is very easy to irritate (of course, this may be in part of that he is surrounded by such strange people, for instance, Vincenzo Cilli, Maria, JD O'Toole or Donald Love).
Physical apperance
In Libery City Stories, Toni is significantly thinner than GTA III's depiction; this is commented or criticized by his mother, Maria and Salvatore Leone, with his mother and Salvatore in particular commenting about him not being fed well. By GTA III, Toni is fatter and has aged considerably in the three years that have passed.
Relation to Tony Soprano
Toni Cipriani in GTA III
Toni Cipriani is likely a parody of Tony Soprano, the main character from The Sopranos. Aside from their names, both characters also share ongoing problems with their mothers, who also ordered hits on them (Cipriani would face this predicament in GTA:LCS).
Toni Cipriani was voiced by Danny Mastrogiorgio, although he was voiced by Michael Madsen in GTA III.
See also
- Characters in GTA: Liberty City Stories
- Characters in GTA III