GTA 6 has officially been delayed to 2026, and despite the year-long wait, hype is at an all-time high for Grand Theft Auto. With the second trailer for GTA 6 dropping alongside the delay announcement, fans have once again started poring over every minute detail. The trailer showcased the new characters and a familiar name to long-standing fans of the franchise.
That name is Phil Cassidy, a recurring character who’s been part of the GTA universe since the PS2 era. But if you're newer to the series or need a refresher, let's break down exactly who Phil Cassidy is, why he matters, and what role he might play in GTA 6.
Phil Cassidy is a Vietnam War veteran, arms dealer, and all-around wildcard who first appeared in GTA: Vice City. Phil became an instant fan favorite with his gruff voice, eyepatch, and love for explosives. He’s the kind of guy you’d want on your side in a shootout, but maybe not someone you’d trust with your car keys (or a bottle of whiskey).
Voiced by Garey Busey, who brings the perfect amount of crazy to the arms dealer. Talking of arms, Phil only has one! He blew the other clean off while drunk during an explosive accident in Vice City.
Games Where Phil Cassidy Appears
Phil isn’t just a one-and-done character. He pops up across several GTA titles:
- GTA: Vice City (2002) – He runs a gun range and helps Tommy Vercetti with various missions, including the famous bank heist.
- GTA: Vice City Stories (2006) – This game takes place before Vice City, and we see a younger Phil helping out Victor Vance.
- GTA III (2001) – Though set later in the timeline, Phil is still around, operating out of a junkyard in Liberty City. He’s more grizzled, but still very much himself.
Will Phil Cassidy Be in GTA 6?
Rockstar has not confirmed if Phil Cassidy will appear in GTA 6. However, with the setting being the fictional state of Leonida, which includes Vice City, we may get a cameo from our favorite one-armed bandit.
The second GTA 6 trailer shows an advertisement for Phil's Ammunation gun store. A male character who may be a reboot of the character or a relative of the original can be seen. It definitely isn't the original Phil Cassidy, as this person still has both arms intact.
That's about all you need to know about Phil Cassidy. Should more information come to light, such as the character in the trailer being a new version of Phil, we will update this article accordingly.
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