Hugh Welsh is a character appearing as a heist crew member in Grand Theft Auto V.
He is voiced by Andrew Totolos.
History
Background
Not much is known of Hugh's background. He appears to be an aspiring film writer, as Franklin Clinton mentions he writes screenplays in his spare time. He may have turned to crime as a result of failing in his writing career. He probably also tried to be an actor, as he says at the end of the roof approach in The Bureau Raid, that he took some impromptu lessons. If the player selects him, Lester will say that he should still have "a few scores left in him". This may imply that although his character model is somewhat youthful, Hugh is rapidly reaching or already is middle age.
He is also the only crew member that shows some compassion with the other members, if he survives the covert approach of The Bureau Raid, while the other gunman dies, he says that he is the one who should have died in the building.
Events of Grand Theft Auto V
Welsh can be hired for The Bureau Raid, but if the covert option is chosen he will die during the mission if he is chosen along with a good gunman. The only way for Hugh to survive in the covert approach is if he is chosen along with Daryl Johns or Norm Richards: in this case, either he or the other gunman will die randomly during the escape. In the roof approach, he survives with no complications.
In The Big Score, subtle approach, if chosen as the first gunman, Hugh will drop some gold bars while loading the Gauntlet, causing a $18 million loss for the crew; even if he has previously experienced the FIB heist, he will still drop gold. If chosen as the second gunman, there will be no consequences for the crew. In the obvious approach, Hugh does a decent job being either the first or second gunman. It's important to know that if he is the second gunman and doesn't have previous experience, there will be more chances of him dying during the shootout against the police, so the player needs to protect him not to fail the heist. Also, like all other gunmen, he'll refuse to follow Michael and Franklin if he is with Franklin loading the gold for pickup, stating that it is "too heavy". Franklin will respond: "Good luck. I'm runnin'".
Character
Personality
Hugh is a quiet man of average appearance. He is also, unlike Daryl, compassionate and never scolds the other crew members. His stats are low and his cut is only 7%, making him one of the worst crew members to choose.
Prominent Appearances in Gameplay
- The Bureau Raid (Optional/Can be killed in Covert Approach)
- The Big Score (Optional)
Gallery
Trivia
- If he is killed during The Bureau Raid, Franklin tells the remaining crew that Hugh liked to write screenplays in his spare time.
- Hugh will use the Assault Rifle in the Roof entry approach of The Bureau Raid. Franklin comments on it, asking him why he brought a weak weapon.
- For some reason, he along with Karl and Daryl cannot be recruited for a heist in replayable missions. Whether this is intentional or not is unknown.
- Hugh shares his character model with Mr. Kenneth, with one of the hostages from the Prologue and several other unnamed characters in the game.
- If Hugh is selected for The Big Score, after surviving the The Bureau Raid, Michael will not mock him, unlike Norm or Daryl, who will be mocked by Michael.