As anticipation for GTA 6 continues to build, an old interview with Rockstar Games president Sam Houser has resurfaced online, sparking fresh discussion about one of the studio’s longest-running creative decisions: why Rockstar avoids casting Hollywood celebrities in GTA games.

The comments, recently shared by GTAVI_Countdown on X (formerly Twitter), have reignited debate among fans, many of whom believe Rockstar’s philosophy is one of the reasons the series feels so authentic.

Sam Houser Explains Why Rockstar Avoids Celebrity Voice Actors

Unlike many modern AAA games that proudly market A-list actors, Rockstar has spent years moving in the opposite direction.

In one interview, Sam Houser explained that lesser-known actors often deliver stronger performances because they’re genuinely excited to be part of the project.

“It’s easier to work with someone who’s keen and enthusiastic, and not been in hundreds of films.”

Houser also criticised the attitude he experienced with some celebrity performers.

“Sometimes you get a famous person in and they literally just read off the script, they want the cheque, and they want to go. I find that insulting and depressing.”

In another interview, he revealed that Rockstar intentionally stopped relying on “name actors.”

“We don’t bring in name actors anymore because of their egos and, most important of all, because we believe we get a better sense of immersion using talented actors whose voices you don’t recognize.”

For Rockstar, the priority has always been creating believable characters rather than selling a game with celebrity names attached.

GTA 6 Fans Think Rockstar Learned Its Lesson Years Ago

The resurfaced quotes quickly spread across social media, with fans pointing to past GTA games as proof that Rockstar’s approach wasn’t made without reason.

The name mentioned more than any other was Ray Liotta, who voiced Tommy Vercetti in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

Although Rockstar has never officially confirmed that Liotta influenced its casting philosophy, many fans believe the experience played a major role.

Several users repeated long-standing stories that Liotta was difficult to work with during recording sessions and wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about voice acting.

Others claimed that after Vice City became a massive success, he attempted to renegotiate his contract, leaving the relationship on poor terms.

These stories have circulated within the GTA community for years but remain unverified.

Other Celebrity Experiences Also Came Up

Ray Liotta wasn’t the only actor fans discussed.

Some users also referenced Samuel L. Jackson, who portrayed Officer Frank Tenpenny in GTA: San Andreas.

According to several commenters, negotiations surrounding royalties made celebrity casting significantly more complicated.

Others brought up Burt Reynolds, with fans revisiting old reports that he clashed with Rockstar staff during production.

While none of these anecdotes have been confirmed by Rockstar, they have become part of GTA community lore and were widely shared throughout the discussion.

Fans Say Unknown Actors Make GTA More Immersive

The overwhelming response to Houser’s comments was supportive.

Many fans argued that GTA works precisely because players don’t instantly recognise the voices behind its characters.

Instead of hearing a Hollywood celebrity, players become immersed in the world Rockstar has created.

Others pointed out that lesser-known actors often treat GTA as a career-defining opportunity, bringing greater enthusiasm and commitment than stars juggling multiple film and television projects.

There’s also the financial side.

Avoiding A-list celebrities allows Rockstar to invest more of its budget into game development rather than expensive talent fees and complex contracts.

Not Everyone Agrees

Not every fan was convinced by Houser’s reasoning.

Some argued that many famous actors are consummate professionals and consistently deliver outstanding performances.

Others suggested Rockstar’s real motivation is having greater creative control while keeping production costs under control.

A few fans even proposed that the studio could cast respected actors who aren’t major Hollywood stars, offering the best of both worlds.

What It Could Mean for GTA 6

With GTA 6 set to become one of the biggest game releases in history, Rockstar’s casting philosophy appears unlikely to change.

Instead of filling the game with recognisable Hollywood names, the studio seems committed to discovering talented performers who can completely disappear into their roles.

Judging by the reaction online, many fans believe that’s exactly what has helped make the Grand Theft Auto series so memorable—and they wouldn’t want GTA 6 to be any different.