Jon Gravelli (1923–2008) was a character in the Grand Theft Auto series who appeared as a supporting character in Grand Theft Auto IV. He was the Don of the Gambetti crime family in Liberty City from 1978 until his death in 2008.
History
Life up to 2008
Jon was born in Meadow Hills, Dukes, Liberty City in 1923. It is likely that he was some way affiliated with a Dukes based Mafia regime since the age of twelve, given his awareness of a rival organization, the Ancelotti family. His criminal record dates back to 1940, when he was arrested for possession of gambling records; he was only seventeen years of age at the time.
He continued to participate in minor and rigorous criminal activities, having been arrested for grand theft auto, attempted murder, and bribery - though his LCPD record states that he has never been in prison.
Jon Gravelli, Jr. was born in 1968, and he grew up to become an associate within the Gambetti; presumably working for his father. Gravelli, Jr. soon developed a Heroin addiction however, and was disowned.
In 1972, Jon almost killed Giovanni Ancelotti's uncle, but decided to spare him, a decision he now regrets.
He became the boss of the Gambetti Family in 1978, after the death of his uncle, Sonny Cangelosi. Under Jon's leadership, the Gambettis became the most powerful Italian-American faction in Liberty City.
During the early 1990s, Jon was arrested twice, for racketeering and murder and obstruction of justice, although he was acquitted of both charges. Sometime in the late 1990s to the early 2000s, Jon started to work with United Liberty Paper company, and befriended one of the company's senior agents.
In 2005, whilst awaiting trial, Jon was admitted to the Schottler Medical Center with a serious illness. He was still awaiting trial in 2006 whilst still hospitalized when he was charged with racketeering once again.
Events of GTA IV
Jon was introduced to Niko Bellic in 2008 via cellphone through his contact at the United Liberty Paper company, who is referred to as a "mutual friend". Niko was first ordered by Jon to provide security for a politician who was wanted dead by Dimitri Rascalov's organization. Niko and the convoy are ambushed on a back street, but they survive the hit. Next, Jon sends Niko to Kim Young-Guk for running a counterfeiting operation in Gambetti territory.
In Liquidize the Assets, he hired Niko to destroy multiple Ancelotti drug vans, and in return for his efforts, the ULP located Darko Brevic, the man who sold out the military unit he and Niko were members of during the Yugoslav Wars - Brevic was brought to Liberty City, so he could be executed by Niko.
Death
After the completion of the storyline, internet and radio news reports announced that Jon died peacefully in his sleep in hospital at the age of 85.
LCPD Database record
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Mission Appearances
- GTA IV
- Entourage (Boss)
- Dining Out (Boss)
- Liquidize the Assets (Boss)
Trivia
- He is most likely based on Carlo Gambino, former boss of the Gambino crime family, on which the Gambettis are based, although his name shares similarities with John Gotti. His last name is also similar to Gotti informant Sammy "The Bull" Gravano. He might also be based on Giacomo Amari, the late acting boss of the DeCavalcante crime family in New Jersey, as he was diagnosed with stomach cancer during his tenure as acting boss, and as his condition worsened, he was unable to run the family as efficiently as before.
- Despite being able to call Gravelli after missions, his number will not be recognised by Niko's phone if the player tries to phone him at any other time.
- Gravelli's in-game model does not have legs, as he is always seen in a hospital bed.