Stephen Root says he is in GTA 6, reportedly as Brian Heder
Stephen Root told the Associated Press he is in GTA 6 but did not name his role. Variety reports it is Brian Heder, as fans had guessed from his voice. Rockstar has not confirmed it.
By GTA 6 Everything Editorial · · 1 min read
Actor Stephen Root says he is in Grand Theft Auto VI. He said so in a short Associated Press video interview that AP dates to September 13, 2026. This is his own word, not a Rockstar announcement. Rockstar has not confirmed his casting.
Root, 74, is known for King of the Hill, Office Space and Barry. In the clip he did not say which character he plays. He said his character had appeared in Rockstar’s early promotion, and that people who knew his voice from King of the Hill had spotted him.
Variety reports that Root voices Brian Heder, the drug runner from the Leonida Keys. Rockstar added Brian’s profile to its website when Trailer 2 came out on May 6, 2025. Dexerto says fans had already matched Root’s voice to the character.
Dexerto describes Root as the first GTA 6 actor to say publicly that he is in the game. Until Rockstar or the game’s credits name the cast, we treat the Brian Heder link as a report.
Sources and verification
- Actor Stephen Root confirms role in ’Grand Theft Auto VI’, Associated Press (14 September 2026)
- GTA 6 actor confirms he’s in the game after trying to keep it "secret", Dexerto (14 September 2026)
- The First GTA 6 Actor Has Confirmed Their Involvement, and Nobody’s Surprised, Push Square (14 September 2026)
- Stephen Root Confirms He Is in ’GTA 6,’ Where He Plays a Drug Trafficker in the Leonida Keys, Variety (15 September 2026)
- Only in Leonida: Brian Heder, Rockstar Games (6 May 2025)
- GTA 6’s cast of characters revealed, including a conspiracy theorist and strip club gangster, VGC (6 May 2025)
Written and maintained by GTA 6 Everything Editorial · Editorial team
