Overview
Cal Hampton is a supporting character in Grand Theft Auto VI. He is Jason Duval's close friend and a fellow associate of veteran drug runner Brian Heder. Cal is introduced with the tagline "What if everything on the internet was true?", which neatly captures his personality as a terminally online conspiracy enthusiast who thrives on paranoia and obscure theories.
Despite his eccentric tendencies, Cal is resourceful, technically savvy, and fiercely loyal to his friends. He feels safest at home, snooping on Coast Guard communications with a few beers and some private browser tabs open. Rockstar Games officially revealed Cal alongside several other supporting characters in May 2025, accompanied by a new screenshot showing him in his element.
Background
Cal lives in the Leonida Keys, the chain of islands at the southern tip of the state of Leonida. He occupies the lower rungs of the criminal food chain, content to stay at home rather than chase the bigger scores that Jason dreams about. Rockstar's official description states that Cal is "at the low tide of America and happy there," with his "casual paranoia loving company." While Cal is comfortable where he is, his friend Jason has bigger plans, creating an inherent tension in their relationship as the story progresses.
Personality and Habits
Cal is best described as a beer-drinking, conspiracy-obsessed homebody who prefers the glow of his monitor to the outside world. His daily routine revolves around cracking open beers, scanning Coast Guard radio frequencies for suspicious activity, and browsing the internet through a lens of deep suspicion. He is the kind of person who takes every online rumor seriously, a trait that likely makes him both an entertaining companion and an occasionally useful source of information.
In promotional materials, Cal is depicted wearing a bucket hat and an alien-themed Hawaiian shirt, reinforcing his offbeat persona. His appearance suggests someone who has fully embraced a laid-back, conspiracy-fueled lifestyle in the subtropical Keys. Despite his quirks, he is dependable when it counts, and his technical skills with radio equipment and computers position him as a valuable asset for Jason and Lucia's criminal ventures.
Role in the Story
Cal's primary function in the narrative appears to be that of a tech-oriented support character. His ability to intercept and monitor Coast Guard communications could prove critical during smuggling runs, boat chases, or other waterborne operations across the Keys. Rockstar has indicated that Cal works alongside Jason under Brian Heder's operation, handling the intelligence side of Heder's drug-running business.
The dynamic between Cal and Jason is one of contrasts. Jason is ambitious and restless, always looking for the next opportunity to climb higher. Cal is the opposite: he has found his niche and has no desire to leave it. This friendship between a dreamer and a homebody is a storytelling approach Rockstar has used effectively in past titles, and Cal's grounded presence could serve as a counterweight to the increasingly dangerous situations Jason and Lucia find themselves in.
Character Details
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Full Name | Cal Hampton |
Game | Grand Theft Auto VI |
Location | |
Occupation | Associate of Brian Heder's operation |
Associates | |
Personality | Paranoid, loyal, tech-savvy, reclusive |
Tagline | "What if everything on the internet was true?" |
Trivia
Cal appears in an official Rockstar screenshot alongside Jason during a fishing trip, confirming his presence as a companion during fishing activities.
His alien-themed Hawaiian shirt and bucket hat have become a recognizable look among the GTA community since his reveal.
Fan speculation suggests Cal may be voiced by comedian Bobby Moynihan, though Rockstar has not confirmed the voice cast.
Cal fits a recurring archetype of eccentric, conspiracy-minded characters seen in prior franchise entries.