5 Unknown Facts About CJ You Don't Know

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 31, 2025, 18:07 IST

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Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas fans may learn something new about CJ. Unique aspects include his car-stealing past in Liberty City, his extraordinary customizability, and personality-driven actions. There's even speculation about his potential demise based on graffiti in GTA IV.

Image via Rockstar

If you’re a Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas fan, you probably think you know everything about Carl "CJ" Johnson. You’ve raced through Grove Street, dealt with Big Smoke’s betrayals, and conquered the streets. But trust us—there are still some crazy details about CJ that you might have missed. Here are five lesser-known facts about the Grove Street legend.

The GTA Story of CARL JOHNSON and his Automobile Empire

1. CJ Used to Steal Cars for a Living

Before returning to Los Santos, CJ spent time in Liberty City. And no, he wasn’t just chilling—he was out there boosting cars. In fact, he worked for Joey Leone, a mob mechanic (and son of GTA III’s Salvatore Leone). This little detail comes up when CJ meets Salvatore in San Andreas—he casually mentions his past car-stealing gigs.

2. He’s the Most Customizable GTA Protagonist Ever

Long before GTA Online let players tweak their characters to the max, San Andreas gave us the most customizable main character in the series—CJ. Not only could you change his clothes and hairstyle, but you could also bulk him up at the gym, let him gain weight at fast-food joints, or keep him slim with a balanced diet.

3. He Randomly Starts Singing (If You Let Him Idle)

If you stop playing for a while and just let CJ stand there, he’ll start singing along to the radio. It’s a tiny detail, but it makes CJ feel like a real person just vibing in 1992. Rockstar went all out with the realism, and this is just another reason why CJ remains one of the best protagonists in gaming history.

Who Killed CJ? Death Of CJ (Carl Johnson) | GTA Secret Cutscene

4. He Might (or Might Not) Be Dead

In GTA IV, there’s a subway station in Liberty City where you can spot graffiti listing the names of past GTA protagonists, including CJ’s. The twist? His name is written next to "RIP," making fans speculate whether Rockstar secretly killed him off.

5. His Stats Change How He Talks & Acts

San Andreas introduced an RPG-style stat system, and CJ’s personality actually changes based on how you play. If you let him get overweight, he’ll make food-related comments when picking up money, like talking about getting lunch. If his driving skill is low, he awkwardly turns his head while reversing, but if it’s high, he smoothly uses the rear-view mirror.
CJ is more than just a GTA character—he’s a legend. From possible death theories to secret backstories, he’s got a past more layered than most protagonists in the series. What’s your favorite CJ fact? Drop a comment below!

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About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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