Contributor Joe Concha explores the recent controversy surrounding Lawrence Sullivan, also known as the “Florida Joker,” who has accused a gaming company of using his likeness in the latest Grand Theft Auto video game. Sullivan, who gained viral fame in 2017 due to his Joker-styled face tattoos, posted a TikTok video expressing his dissatisfaction with the alleged use of his appearance in the game. The Grand Theft Auto VI trailer, released last week, garnered a record-breaking 93 million views in 24 hours on YouTube.
Commenters on the trailer noted that some characters in the game resembled viral real-life Florida moments, such as an alligator walking into a convenience store and a woman threatening people with two hammers. Sullivan’s mugshot, which went viral due to his Joker-like tattoos, was also mentioned as a similarity. Sullivan, who was arrested in 2017 for pointing a firearm at vehicles, has since been referred to as the “Florida Joker” or “Miami Joker.”
Despite his criminal background, Sullivan claims that Rockstar Games, the company behind Grand Theft Auto, used his viral booking photo as inspiration for a character in the game. He asserts that they took his likeness and his life, expressing his displeasure in the TikTok video. This is not the first time Rockstar Games has faced accusations of using someone’s likeness without permission, as actress Lindsay Lohan previously filed a lawsuit against the company for a similar reason.
However, the New York Supreme Court dismissed Lohan’s case in 2016, suggesting that Sullivan may face a challenging legal battle if he decides to sue Rockstar Games. The article notes that Sullivan has not yet responded to requests for additional comment on social media, and Rockstar Games has not provided a statement regarding his claims.
Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release in 2025.
