Dark Secrets The Cast Of GTA Tried To Hide

Samuel L. Jackson has become a fixture in pop culture over the years, wowing audiences as Nick Fury in the MCU, Mace Windu in the "Star Wars" prequels, various characters in Quentin Tarantino films, and many more memorable performances. This resume also includes voicing Frank Tenpenny in "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas." However, his lifestyle wasn't always as squeaky clean as it is today. Back during his years acting in the theatre, Samuel L. Jackson was a very different person from the beloved screen presence we know today. In those years, Jackson was frequently on drugs, even performing while under the influence. His career started to really take off around the time he got clean.

Many have viewed Samuel L. Jackson's recovery from drug addiction as a positive change, worthy of admiration. The Guardian reported that Jackson kicked his drug habits after an incident in which he passed out in the presence of his young daughter. Looking back on his early career, Jackson explained, "I was doing things the right way, it was just that one thing that was in the way – my addiction. And once that was out of the way, it was – boom! The door blew wide open."

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Shawn "Solo" Fonteno had a difficult time in his younger years, witnessing the loss of loved ones, drug addiction, and violence, all while battling depression. He even apparently got into a fistfight with Ice Cube in the early '90s. Thankfully, he has since made amends with his fellow rapper/actor, according to TMZ. These experiences gave Fonteno a well to draw from when playing beloved character Franklin Clinton in "GTA 5." Though this is arguably his most high-profile gig, Solo has also enjoyed a rap career and a few other acting credits, including the film "Grow House" and work as miscellaneous voices in "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas."

Unlike many stories like this, Fonteno's bumpy past and prosperous present illustrates what many can consider a positive change. In an interview for The Hype Magazine, Solo stated, "I'm living proof that you can move past whatever circumstances you're in and find a way to make a change and have a positive impact." He continued, "I'm blessed to be in this situation and so grateful to the fans of Rockstar Games who have been so supportive." Sadly, not every celebrity associated with the "Grand Theft Auto" series has been able to completely turn their lives around in quite the same way.

Famed director and actor Dennis Hopper, who film fans may know from works like "Speed," "Easy Rider," and "Apocalypse Now," also played adult film director Steve Scott in "GTA: Vice City." His presence added even more clout to the game's star-studded cast, but he didn't exactly arrive on the project at an all-time high. A few years before the game's release, the actor had to pay almost a million dollars in punitive damages to Rip Torn after a defamation lawsuit and a failed appeal. In this bizarre back-and-forth, Hopper claimed during a "Tonight Show" interview that Rip Torn had once threatened him with a knife. Interestingly, Rip Torn then claimed the exact opposite happened, saying Hopper wielded the knife. Torn sued Hopper for defamation and was initially awarded $475,000, with another $475,000 coming later down the line.

Strangest of all was Hopper's defense of the situation, as Hopper profusely claimed that the entire thing was intended to be a joke that went too far. As many have already pointed out, dismissing a threat as a bad joke isn't the best defense to save yourself in a case like this. In the end, it cost Dennis Hopper nearly one million dollars.

Jayceon Terrell Taylor, also known as The Game, is a rapper, artist, and voice actor who played B Dup in "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas." Outside of this, fans of "GTA" may also know The Game from his prolific music career or appearances across reality television. Outside of his acting career, The Game has found himself in a few different altercations with the law. In one bizarre story, the rapper was banned from Canada due to gang affiliations and multiple assault charges. An exclusive report from TMZ explained, "Game was blindsided by the last-minute red flag — telling us concert organizers had secured all permits and approval weeks ago to get Game into the country." Having a rough background is one thing, but being banned and deported from an entire country feels outlandish enough to fit right into the plot of an actual "GTA" game. All joking aside, these charges are serious enough to leave a mark on anyone's record, and they're not the only ones he's faced.

Outside of being barred from entering Canada, The Game has racked up a history of other legal troubles, including charges such as battery, illegal weapon possession, obstruction of justice, and sexual assault. An assault charge against an off-duty police officer also earned him three years of probation and multiple court-mandated anger management sessions.

David Cross is a comedian and actor known for his work on "Mr. Show" and "Arrested Development," as well as for voicing Zero in "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas." Cross' comedic timing and delivery made for a memorable character for plenty of "GTA" fans, even if they never realized he provided the voice. What nets him a spot on this list is an admission that almost belongs in a "GTA" game: He once did cocaine during the annual Correspondents' Dinner at the White House. While this story may seem like a bizarre subplot in a comedy flick, for David Cross, this is one action he definitely regrets.

In an interview with Playboy (via The Hollywood Reporter), Cross explained why he did drugs in the same room as former President Barack Obama. Cross said that he wasn't doing it to get high, but he wanted "to say that I did it, that I did cocaine in the same room as the president." Sadly, rumors surrounding the incident apparently led to Cross and his partner, actress Amber Tamblyn, no longer being invited to future Correspondents' Dinners.

For many, Gary Busey is a household name, having appeared in huge films like "Silver Bullet," "Point Break," and "Rookie of the Year," as well as TV shows like "Celebrity Apprentice." However, as many can already guess, when an actor reaches this level of popularity, there's bound to be a few skeletons in their closet, and Gary Busey has courted controversy before and after his time playing Phil Cassidy in "Vice City." While his performance in the game was an excellent addition overall, this has been soured for many players when they've learned of the crimes Busey's been charged with in the past. In addition to past charges of drug possession and spousal abuse, Busey was charged with multiple sex crimes in 2022.

Three fans who attended the Monster Mania convention in New Jersey claimed that Busey groped them without their consent during the event. Additionally, according to a report from CNN, Busey allegedly attempted to talk authorities into silencing the people who reported these incidents. In the weeks following the charges becoming public, Busey told TMZ that he was innocent in the matter.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.