Trevor Philips

Updated 28 October 2026 · Fan site. Not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive.

Trevor Philips is one of the three playable protagonists of Grand Theft Auto V (2013). A violent Canadian-born ex-pilot, he runs a drugs and weapons business from Sandy Shores in Blaine County. When he learns his old heist partner Michael is alive, he comes to Los Santos. Steven Ogg provided his voice and motion capture.

Who is Trevor in GTA V?

Trevor Philips is the wild card among the three leads of Grand Theft Auto V. Wikipedia says he was born in Canada near the US border to abusive parents. He joined the military and trained as a pilot, but he was forced out after a psychological evaluation. He turned to crime, served six months for a small robbery and later worked as a smuggler.

In 1993 he met Michael Townley, now known as Michael De Santa. The two became partners in big robberies. The bond weakened as Michael settled down with a family. In 2004 a job in Ludendorff, North Yankton, went wrong. Michael was shot and Trevor escaped, believing his friend was dead.

Story

Trevor settles in Sandy Shores, a run-down desert town in Blaine County. He runs Trevor Philips Enterprises, a small criminal company that deals in methamphetamine and guns, with his friends Ron and Wade. His rivals include The Lost MC, the Varrios Los Aztecas and the O'Neil brothers.

In 2013 he discovers that Michael faked his death. In a rage, he wipes out most of his local rivals, killing Johnny Klebitz, the hero of The Lost and Damned, in one of the game's first scenes. He then heads to Los Santos, tracks Michael down and meets Franklin Clinton.

The three carry out a series of heists, often under pressure from corrupt FIB agents. Trevor later learns the truth about 2004: Michael had made a deal with the FIB, and the Ludendorff job was a setup. He swears to kill Michael. When Michael is in mortal danger, though, Trevor saves him and agrees to one final job, the Union Depository heist.

Does Trevor die in GTA V?

Only if the player chooses it. In the final mission, Franklin can kill Trevor, kill Michael or try to save both. If Franklin goes after Trevor, he dies after a chase at an oil field and is set alight. If Franklin kills Michael, Trevor cuts all ties with him. If Franklin saves both, Trevor and Michael reconcile after the three defeat their enemies, Steve Haines and Devin Weston among them.

Trevor in GTA Online

GTA Online is set a few months before the main story, so Trevor appears there as a contact. He starts giving jobs to players at rank 13 after they steal his mobile meth lab. In the 2015 Heists update, he leads a drug-theft job that turns out to be a police sting. Later updates only mention him. By the Los Santos Drug Wars update in 2022, Ron says Trevor has left Blaine County.

Who voices Trevor Philips?

Canadian actor Steven Ogg voiced Trevor and did his motion capture. Rockstar based Trevor's appearance on Ogg. Wikipedia says the actors started work in 2010. Ogg has pointed to Tom Hardy's role in the 2008 film Bronson as an influence. Co-writer Dan Houser described Trevor as driven by desire and resentment, and as a counterweight to Michael.

Trevor's special ability is a rage mode. While it is active, he deals double damage and takes half.

Reception and controversy

Trevor split critics more than any other GTA V character. GameSpot's review called him "a truly horrible, terrifying, psychotic human being" and a terrific character. Edge named him the standout of the three. Eurogamer found him shallow and felt he overshadowed the others. IGN compared him to Heath Ledger's Joker. Official Xbox Magazine named him Best Character of 2013.

One mission drew wide criticism. In "By the Book", Trevor tortures a captive for information, and the British politician Keith Vaz raised concerns that younger players could see it. Even so, Trevor became one of the most recognisable faces of the series.