Forelli Family

Updated 30 October 2026 · Fan site. Not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive.

The Forelli family is an Italian-American Mafia family from Liberty City in the 3D era of Grand Theft Auto. Its Don, Sonny Forelli, is the main villain of Vice City (2002), and several 3D-era protagonists kill members of it. First seen in GTA III (2001), it shrinks from the city's strongest family in 1986 to a small crew by 2001.

Who are the Forelli family in GTA?

The Forellis are one of the three Mafia families of 3D-era Liberty City, alongside the Leones and the Sindaccos. GTA Wiki lists their trades as racketeering, gambling, loan sharking, counterfeiting and contract killing, with drug running added by 1986. Their fronts include Marco's Bistro and, for a time, a share of Caligula's casino. The same source notes that Forelli is Italian for holes, a joke that fits a family that keeps getting shot. They appear in every 3D-universe game except Grand Theft Auto Advance, according to GTA Wiki, and are the main villains only once, in Vice City.

Who leads the Forelli family?

GTA Wiki gives three Dons in turn. Sonny Forelli rules until his death in 1986. Marco Forelli, the underboss who owns Marco's Bistro, takes over until 1992. Franco Forelli leads after Marco. Mike Forelli is a capo, and a cousin called Giorgio is mentioned in Vice City Stories. GTA Wiki points out that several series leads have killed a Forelli: Claude (Mike), Tommy Vercetti (Sonny), Carl Johnson (Marco) and possibly Toni Cipriani (Franco).

Who is Sonny Forelli?

Sonny is the Don who sends Tommy to Vice City. Wikipedia credits Tom Sizemore with his voice. GTA Wiki describes him as ruthless, short-tempered and manipulative, and says he was a childhood friend of Tommy's who later grew jealous of his reputation. Whether Sonny set up the 1971 ambush that put Tommy in prison is speculated but never confirmed. Our Sonny Forelli page covers him in more detail.

What do the Forellis do in GTA Vice City?

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City came out on PS2 in North America on 29 October 2002 and is set in 1986. Wikipedia's summary says Sonny sends Tommy south to oversee a drug deal, then demands the drugs and money back when the deal is ambushed. When Sonny learns Tommy has taken over the city's drug trade without cutting the family in, he sends men to collect, and Tommy kills them.

The break ends at Tommy's mansion. Wikipedia says Sonny reveals there that Lance Vance has betrayed Tommy, and Tommy kills both of them in the shootout. GTA Wiki names the mission Keep Your Friends Close... The full Vice City plot is on our Tommy Vercetti page.

Are the Forellis in Vice City Stories and San Andreas?

Yes, as smaller antagonists. In Vice City Stories, released on the PSP on 31 October 2006 and set in 1984, Wikipedia says Victor Vance protects Phil Collins from Mafia hitmen owed money by the singer's manager. GTA Wiki identifies the man behind them as Giorgio Forelli.

In San Andreas, set in 1992, GTA Wiki says the Forellis share Caligula's Palace in Las Venturas with the Leones and Sindaccos, with Ken Rosenberg as go-between. After Marco sends hitmen after Salvatore Leone, Salvatore has Carl Johnson kill Marco at his bistro in Liberty City.

What happens to the Forellis in Liberty City Stories?

Liberty City Stories, set in 1998, is where the family really falls. Wikipedia says the corrupt mayor Roger C. Hole is secretly controlled by the Forellis, and that Toni later helps Donald Love destroy the Forelli-run district of Fort Staunton with explosives. By 2001 that district is a building site. GTA Wiki adds that the Forellis lose Shoreside Vale in a war with the Sindaccos and that Franco's fate after the blast is unknown.

What role do the Forellis play in GTA III?

By Grand Theft Auto III, released on 23 October 2001, GTA Wiki describes the family as shrunk to a small street gang. Their one big moment is Claude's first job for Joey Leone: a car bomb that kills Mike Forelli. GTA Wiki also notes that Salvatore Leone gets their name wrong in the cutscene The Introduction, calling them the Corellis.

Where are the Forellis based and what do they drive?

GTA Wiki names Fort Staunton on Staunton Island as the family's main base until it is blown up in 1998. Over the years it also lists Saint Mark's, Belleville Park, Liberty Campus, Rockford and Wichita Gardens as Forelli ground, plus their stake in Caligula's Palace. The family car is the Forelli Exsess, and the wiki says their favourite radio station is Double Clef FM. The family also leans on outsiders. GTA Wiki counts Ken Rosenberg, Lance Vance, Mayor Roger C. Hole and his would-be successor Miles O'Donovan among its past associates. Sonny himself lives on as a joke in Liberty City Stories, where a poster advertises a film about his life, according to the same source.