The team at GTA4World.net have posted the main characters from Grand theft Auto IV and written small biographies about them, they read as follows;

Niko Bellic

Grand Theft Auto IV’s protagonist, Niko Bellic, travelled to Liberty City to pursue the “American Dream,” where (supposedly) money and women come easy. Niko hails from an unspecified Eastern European country, which he departed after landing himself in hot water with the local gangs. Niko - unshaven, in his mid-thirties and sporting a cheap tracksuit - was enticed by his cousin Roman to try life in America. He claimed to be living with two women, four hot tubs and fifteen sport cars - a lifestyle which very much appealed to Niko. So with things not working out back home, Niko decided to pack his belongings and head for America. Upon arrival, he discovers that his cousin’s claims of a wealthy lifestyle were far from the truth, and he soon finds himself drawn into Roman’s [seemingly endless] list of personal problems.

Roman Bellic

Roman is Niko’s cousin. He is an optimist, a fantasist, and a liar. He made Niko believe things which weren’t true in order to bring him to Liberty City, so that he could help him sort out personal issues. He claimed through various emails that he was rich, living in a luxury condo with many fast cars and beautiful women, but instead he has crippling debts, a lot of enemies, and runs a failing taxi business in a converted industrial garage in Broker. At the beginning of the game, Roman serves as your only friend and as your only connection in the story. Whereas Niko is considered a rough-and-tough type character, Roman is more of a “friendly buffoon,” according to Dan Houser, Rockstar’s creative vice president. Roman and Niko are said to be constantly bickering with each other. Roman is dating a girl called Mallorie.

Vlad

Vlad likes to think of himself as a powerful and much-feared character, who runs the Hove beach neighborhood of Broker with an iron fist. But in reality, he is a low level Russian criminal who is trying to win respect from the bigger boys. Most of his criminal activities are minor.

Elizabeta

Elizabeta has been a successful drug dealer in Bohan for more than ten years. Her success is due mainly to the fact that she tends to keep her business low-key, while paying off or ordering the killings of the right people. A crackdown on drug dealing has increased the level of pressure on Elizabeta and her business, as police try to track her activities. She has recently developed a drug addiction, which is making her dangerously paranoid and delusional.

Manny

Manny is a former gangster who managed to transform his life and put his rough past behind him. He is now trying to help others do the same, and is determined to clean up the neighbourhood, the kids, and the streets of Liberty City. He is having a documentary made about himself to record his struggle.

Brucie

Fitness enthusiast, car nut, and self appointed VIP. Brucie thinks an awful lot of himself. He is a man brimming with confidence, who isn’t afraid to make himself heard. He lives a lavish lifestyle, with nothing but the finest women, cars and lifestyle accessories. His appearance says it all.

Little Jacob

Jacob (nicknamed “Little Jacob”) is a Jamaican arms dealer from Dukes, and one of Niko’s many associates. Jacob supplies you with any firepower you need, which he stores in the back of his trunk. He is a good friend of Roman Bellic, Niko’s cousin.

Francis McCreary

McCreary is a corrupt police officer (what would a GTA game be without one?) who has dirt on Niko’s past. He knows about a felony Niko committed, which he threatens to reveal details of unless Niko obeys his orders. In the mission “Call and Collect,” McCreary asks you to retrieve a memory stick with sensitive data which was stolen from him. He wears a black suit and tie, has a short moustache, and has slicked blonde hair with a strong side parting.