Stephen Root confirms role in ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’

Stephen Root just did something that almost no Grand Theft Auto actor ever does, which is confirm his role in Grand Theft Auto VI.

In an interview where he was discussing his Emmy nomination for the Apple TV+ series Widow's Bay, the veteran character actor revealed that he voices a character named Brian Heder in the game.

Even if many may not recognize his name, his voice will certainly ring a bell. Root is one of those actors who turns up in everything, Milton in Office Space, Fuches in Barry, along with decades of film and TV besides.

Fans had already pegged him months ago by matching his voice to the trailers and the Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look.

Brian Heder, going by the game's own press coverage, is a drug-runner and mentor figure connected to Jason, one of the game's two protagonists.

Officially, Rockstar Games keeps its casts sealed until launch as a rule. Its actors' roles are almost never officially confirmed before release.

Rockstar does not put out cast lists, and its actors rarely break the silence early, which is what makes Stephen Root the first star to officially confirm a GTA 6 role. He did it casually, during awards-season press, turning long-running fan speculation into fact.