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It's like people call me lazy. I'm not lazy, just don't like working. There's a difference.
Uncle
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Uncle is a recurring character in the Red Dead series, featured as a major character in Red Dead Redemption and also as a major character in Red Dead Redemption 2.

With the addition of the Myths and Mavericks DLC pack, Uncle is also a multiplayer character model that may be selected in the "Revolution" section of the Outfitter.

Quick Answers

What is the backstory of Uncle in the Red Dead series? toggle section
Born in Ohio pre-1849, Uncle is a major character in the Red Dead series, featuring in Red Dead Redemption and its sequel. Orphaned at age nine, Uncle is a member of the Van der Linde gang, notorious for his drinking and smoking habits, and suspected of having illegitimate children. His presence is consistent when whiskey is available and scarce during work. His real name and age are undisclosed.
Provided by: Fandom
Who is the voice actor for Uncle in Red Dead Redemption 1? toggle section
John O'Creagh was originally cast as the voice actor for Uncle in Red Dead Redemption 1. Following his death during production, James McBride stepped in to complete the voice and motion-capture work for the character.
Provided by: Fandom
What is Uncle's real name in Red Dead Redemption 2? toggle section
The character Uncle from Red Dead Redemption series is not given a specific real name. He is an American with past affiliations to the Van der Linde gang and the Marston family. His occupations have included thief, outlaw, and rancher. He is also referred to as Uncle, Old Man, and One-Shot Kid.
Provided by: Fandom
How old is Uncle in Red Dead Redemption 2? toggle section
The precise age of Uncle, a recurring character in the Red Dead series, is not explicitly stated in Red Dead Redemption 2. He is frequently referred to as an 'old man' and has a reputation for drinking and smoking. It is hinted that he may have illegitimate children, but his exact age remains a mystery.
Provided by: Fandom

History

Background

Not exactly the most productive gong member. Uncle is a whoremonger and drunkard who is always around when the whiskey is open.
Red Dead Redemption 2: The Complete Official Guide
Biography in RDR 2 (click to enlarge)

Biography in RDR 2 (click to enlarge)

Uncle was born in Ohio[1] at some point prior to the fall of 1849.[2] Growing up, Uncle was frequently beat by his father for getting caught watching women in an outhouse. Despite his abusive nature, Uncle's father taught him to focus on the present rather than the future.[3] He also had an "uncle" named Jeb (who was actually the cousin of his maternal uncle), who Uncle implies to be a pedophile, saying that he was a man that "you didn't want to be left alone with." One time, Jeb repeatedly asked a young Uncle to go fishing with him. Not wanting to go himself, Uncle sent his brother's friend, Ned, to go fishing with Jeb instead. In the end, Ned stabbed Jeb in the genitals.[4]

When Uncle was nine years old, both of his parents died. His parents' death caused him to move to a new city and "live on his wits" from there on out.[5] Sometime after his youth,[6] people ascribed to him the nickname "Uncle", owing to the fact that he was always older than those around him.[7]

As an adult, Uncle would see the profit in running women and work as a pimp for a time.[8] He also worked as a rancher at some point prior to 1894.[9] Despite his reputation as a whoremonger, he was married at least twice before 1899, with his second wife leaving him for a younger man.[2]

Uncle tells stories about times he went to Africa; he mentions that he sold camping supplies in East Africa, which resulted in him being worshiped as a god by the locals in the Congo on one occasion, only to flee after they tried to marry him off to the tribe chief's daughter.[10] He also claims to have been to Timbuktu.[11] It is unknown how much truth, if any, these stories have to them. Uncle claims to have been known as the "one-shot kid" in his youth,[12] though the dubious nature of his life stories imply that it may not be true.

At some point prior to 1894, Uncle joined the Van der Linde gang. His role was fairly minimal, owing to him being an unproductive and elderly alcoholic. He was only present when women and whiskey were available and never when there was work to be done.[13][14] The gang members kept Uncle around mainly due to finding his drunken antics entertaining.[13][14]

In 1894, Uncle introduced the gang to Abigail Roberts,[15] an orphaned prostitute who was eventually inducted into the gang, falling in love with John Marston and getting pregnant with their son soon after. Over time, Uncle would develop a strong relationship with John and Abigail, who were among the only members of the gang who genuinely looked out for him.[16]

Around 1897, Uncle accompanied Arthur Morgan and Bill Williamson in a bank robbery near Canada, serving as the lookout, although Arthur commented that Uncle wasn't very good at it.[17]

Events of Red Dead Redemption 2

A hanger‐on and good‐time guy, Uncle is always around when the whiskey is open and never around when there’s any work to be done. If he wasn’t so entertaining, Dutch would have cut him loose years ago.
Rockstar Games' description of Uncle for Redemption 2.

Colter Chapter

Uncle accompanies the rest of the gang into the mountains of Ambarino in a desperate attempt to flee the law following the botched ferry robbery in Blackwater. He spends most of his time in the abandoned schoolhouse with much of the rest of the gang.

In "The Aftermath of Genesis," Uncle is seen drinking whiskey in the kitchen with Pearson after Charles Smith and Arthur Morgan return from a hunting trip. After a brief exchange of banter, Arthur shoos Uncle away.

Horseshoe Overlook Chapter

After finding Uncle taking a nap at camp, Arthur decides that the pair should go to Valentine for a supply run. Some of the girls ask Arthur to take them too, and the group head out. Once they arrive, Arthur and Uncle go to the general store to buy some supplies, and share a bottle of Kentucky Bourbon outside the shop afterwards, before having a rest. Meanwhile, the girls go looking for leads; Mary-Beth gets a lead on a possible train robbery while Karen starts planning to rob the Valentine Savings Bank. As they prepare to head out, a stranger confronts Arthur and asks if he was in Blackwater a few weeks back. As Arthur chases the man down, Uncle and the girls return to camp.

Uncle can also be encountered almost getting caught in a brawl at Keane's Saloon, where Arthur can choose to intervene or not. After the encounter, Uncle will return back to camp.

Clemens Point Chapter

Uncle finds a tip about a supposedly unguarded Cornwall company stagecoach heading through Rhodes, and tells Arthur about it. While unsure at first, Arthur decides to rob it with him, alongside Charles and Bill. Despite starting off well, the robbery quickly goes downhill, as uncountable numbers of Cornwall's men descend upon them. The four hide in an old barn, but they are found by the law. The barn is lit on fire, so they are forced to fight their way out of the barn and escape into the forest. The group spilt up; Uncle is paired with Arthur, and after being reunited with Charles and Bill, the four finally manage to escape. After dividing up the money, Uncle says that he is "officially retired" from robbing.

Saint Denis Chapter

At night Uncle can inform Arthur of a cattle rustling opportunity he managed to catch wind of while drinking in Rhodes. Although Arthur is a little reluctant following the chaos the gang created weeks earlier, he decides to join Uncle. The two ride up to Hill Haven Ranch to steal the cattle and encounter their drunken owner who attempts to stop them but ends up knocking himself out. Afterwards, they sell the herd of cows to Clay and Clive Davies.

He is also present in the DLC Companion Activity "High and Low Finance," during which he assists Arthur and Charles in robbing the Bank of Rhodes.

Beaver Hollow Chapter

As the gang sets up camp at Beaver Hollow, Uncle arrives with a drunken Molly O'Shea claiming that he found her in Saint Denis. Molly reveals that she told the Pinkertons about the bank heist, resulting in her getting killed. Throughout the chapter, he can be seen expressing distrust in Micah Bell and later leaves the gang along with several others, sensing its imminent doom. His activities in the immediate aftermath of this are unknown.

Pronghorn Ranch Chapter

As John Marston finalizes his purchase on Beecher's Hope at the West Elizabeth Co-Operative Bank, he will run into Uncle in the street. Uncle, who thought he was dead, was ecstatic to meet him. The pair would then ride out to the ranch only for Uncle to learn that it was only a decrepit shack. Although a little disheartened by the ranch's condition, he decided to stay whether John liked it or not, especially with Abigail and Jack leaving him.

Beecher's Hope Chapter

Having been reunited with John in Blackwater, Uncle informs him that Charles is alive and in Saint Denis, so the two travel to the city by train to find him. After they find Charles at a fighting match, Uncle says he has some errands to run and that he’ll catch up with the duo later. At some point after the trio reach Beecher's Hope, they demolish the shack and Uncle takes John to Albert Cakes in order to purchase a pre-cut house to use as their home. While John and Charles travel to Manzanita Post to collect some tools, Uncle stays behind at the ranch. With everything prepared, Uncle oversees John and Charles building the ranch. Despite annoying John and Charles to no end, John does credit Uncle with being very helpful in getting the ranch moving in the right direction.

After the house is built, Uncle says the ranch needs to be developed further, suggesting that the land could be used for grazing; the two subsequently decide on having sheep. As a result, Uncle takes John to Albert Cakes again to buy a pre-cut barn for the animals, and later helps with the construction of it. After they finish, the trio have a drink in celebration, but Uncle is kidnapped by the barbaric Skinner Brothers while the three are hungover. Alarmed, John and Charles proceed to track Uncle down and rescue him from the Skinners' hideout, during which most of them are slain. During his capture, Uncle sustained a badly burnt back after having it roasted over a fire by the Skinners, but eventually recovers from it after recuperating at the ranch.

Later on, Uncle is present for John and Abigail's wedding playing banjo. Despite Charles and Sadie subsequently departing Beecher's Hope for good, Uncle instead opts to stay at the ranch with the Marston family.

Events of Red Dead Redemption

Four years later, after Abigail and Jack are abducted by Edgar Ross and held for ransom, John reluctantly puts Uncle in charge of looking after the ranch at Beecher's Hope. John is then forcibly sent to New Austin to hunt down Bill Williamson and Javier Escuella, having no contact with Uncle. When Marston finally returns from his quest to bring his former gang members to justice, he finds the ranch in disrepair and the livestock rustled. Consequentially, John continually berates Uncle for his inability to maintain the ranch whilst he was away.

Uncle continues to live with the Marston family after John's return. Working at the ranch, Uncle can be seen assisting with blacksmithing and animal tending duties. He and John herd cattle on one occasion and break horses on another. At most other times, he can be seen napping around the ranch.

At some point later, US Army soldiers and Bureau agents launch an attack on the ranch. Uncle spots them and immediately alerts John, enabling them to mount a defense and plan for the escape of Jack and Abigail. Uncle assists John in fighting the soldiers, but is ultimately shot in the chest during the skirmish. Jack ceases firing and comes to Uncle's side, while John continues fending off the soldiers. John returns to Uncle and thanks him for his sacrifice, but Uncle merely demands that they escape and, to Jack's horror, subsequently dies.

Following the assault on the ranch, Uncle is buried atop the ridge at Beecher's Hope, next to John. His grave marker provides no birth year and his epitaph reads "Impossible to forget".

Events of Undead Nightmare

Note: The events of Undead Nightmare are not considered part of the same canon as Red Dead Redemption. The following description is therefore not contiguous with the preceding section on Red Dead Redemption.

Uncle-RedDeadRedemption-UDN

Uncle makes his first and last appearance in the mission "Love in the Time of Plague".

John, after riding through the intense downpour from the storm, comes home at night to find Uncle has not returned from town, with the family assuming he has taken shelter from the storm. Later that night, while John and Abigail are in bed, Uncle bursts in, zombified, snarling and growling. As John tells Uncle "he don't look so good", Abigail sees Uncle's bloodied, torn-up appearance and yelps in horror, putting as much distance between her and Uncle as she can. Uncle slowly approaches John. John then grabs him by the throat and asks what's wrong with him, ending the situation by beating the now-undead Uncle over the head with the base of a nearby lamp.

John leaves the bedroom to retrieve his gun, leaving the disgusted Abigail to look at the beaten Uncle lying on the floor. As John is getting a shotgun from his workshop, Uncle chases Abigail out to the front porch. She trips in the yard near the porch, and Uncle takes the opportunity to jump Abigail and bite her on the neck, infecting her. John, arriving to see Uncle had already jumped Abigail, yells at Uncle, causing him to turn and face John. John then proceeds to shoot him in the head, putting Uncle out of his misery.

During this encounter, he has a deep gash crossing down diagonally from the top of his forehead to his left eye. He's missing his hat, revealing the bald spot atop his head. The part of his beard below his mouth is matted with blood, suggesting that he had already infected another victim or had been vomiting blood. His eyes appear to be heavily bloodshot with dried streaks of blood under his eyes, possibly from blood running out of his eyes. His clothes appear bloody and tattered, suggesting he either put up a fight trying to kill whatever infected him, or he received heavy resistance when he attacked one of his previous victims.

Character

Personality

Uncle is a reformed petty thief with a notable love for alcohol. He is notoriously lazy, both in the Van der Linde gang and while working on the Marston ranch, and often says that his supposed medical condition of "terminal lumbago" stops him from being able to work. Despite contributing occasionally to everyday tasks, Uncle is frequently belittled for being useless and inept, much to his chagrin. In his own way, Uncle can be viewed as seeking redemption from his life of petty crime by working at Beecher's Hope, and later losing his life to keep the Marston family safe.

Despite seeming borderline dysfunctional, Uncle is perhaps more intelligent and shrewd than he may appear. This is exemplified in a hidden dialogue with Dutch; during this conversation, Uncle calls out Dutch by saying he wants to be an American King with his knights that leads the people of the world to a new way of living. Dutch insists this isn't so, claiming he only wants the gang to have a better life, but Uncle retorts by saying Dutch only wants "his" definition of better. In this instance, Uncle shows a clear understanding of Dutch's real intentions and his desire to make everyone live the way of life he thinks is best for everyone.[18]

Uncle has a laid back and carefree attitude, often wanting to joke around and have fun, rather than doing anything serious. He is friendly towards other gang members (except Micah) and often joins in with games such as poker if the player initiates a game of it in camp. Uncle's jokey and vivacious personality is demonstrated in a conversation with the contrastingly serious Charles at camp,[19] where Uncle tries to get Charles to open up to him and share a joke, but to no avail. Uncle also has a caring side to him, shown with his fairly close bond with Jack, but he can also be thought of as having a strong sense of loyalty - exemplified in how he ultimately gave his life for the Marston family.

Appearance

In 1899, Uncle appears as an elderly man with a full beard and light gray hair, being bald on the top of his head. During the Colter chapter, Uncle wears an orange union suit covered up by a thick tan winter coat and gloves. As of the Horseshoe Overlook chapter, he can usually be seen wearing a thinner brown jacket alongside an orange shirt, blue bandana, black trousers and black boots. In chapters 3-6, Uncle is normally seen without his jacket. At nighttime, he sometimes wears his union suit but in 1907 he wears it more often. He also usually wears a brown sun hat.

In 1907, Uncle's overall appearance has changed little. However, he now always wears a dirty white shirt in place of his orange one. He also retains his black trousers and boots.

In 1911, he wears clothes similar to his attire in 1907. Additionally, Uncle can be seen wearing a single beige glove on his right hand and his bandana seems to have bleached. His beard now has a yellow-brown stain. He also appears to have shrunk, likely due to his age.

In all periods of time, Uncle wears a weapon belt with a single holster and his signature hat.

Mission Appearances

Red Dead Redemption 2

Companion Activities

Red Dead Redemption
Undead Nightmare

Quotes

You are a sad man, Arthur Morgan. But I know you love me.
Uncle to Arthur Morgan ("Polite Society, Valentine Style")
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My second wife always used to describe me as "ageless", though... she did leave me for a younger man.
Uncle to Arthur, about his short-lived relationship with his second wife
I'm real sick, John. Lumbago. It's a slow and painful death, my brother.
Uncle to John Marston ("Home of the Gentry?")
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Oh darling Abigail, I’ve changed! Come live with me in this outhouse I wouldn't ask my worst enemy to take a shit in!
Uncle mocking John about the condition of the newly-bought shack ("Home Improvement for Beginners")
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Oh, you don't build a barn, dumbass. What do you think this is, 1785?
Uncle mocking John Marston on how a barn can be built in the Industrial Age ("A Quick Favor for an Old Friend")
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You always were a hard and nasty man, John Marston.
Uncle responding to John's idle death threat ("By Sweat and Toil")
It's easy to pick on the elderly. It's easy, but it ain't dignified.
Uncle to John Marston ("By Sweat and Toil")
Ain't time, John. I ain't gonna make it off this porch anyhow. You take Jack and Abiga... (coughs). Take them and... (coughs). Don't worry about me, just get them out of here.
Uncle's last words ("The Last Enemy That Shall Be Destroyed")

Multiplayer

Red Dead Redemption 2

Greeting

Antagonized

Antagonized (Bandana)

Antagonized (Mask)

Antagonized (Blood)

Antagonized (Drunk)

Antagonized (Lawman Hat)

Antagonized by dirty Arthur / John

Antagonized (Trapper Clothing)

Reaction to dog getting scolded by player

Waken up

Going back to sleep

Defuse

Trivia

Red Dead Redemption
Undead Nightmare
Red Dead Redemption 2
Redemption Multiplayer

Gallery

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption

Undead Nightmare

References

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IviwaWf3HJk
  2. 2.0 2.1 Mentioned in a conversation with Arthur Morgan in "Go Rustling (Uncle)":
    Arthur: "Just be careful. How old are you anyway?"
    Uncle: "Let's just say I was born sometime between the fall of '49 and the fall of Rome. My second wife always used to describe me as ageless, though she did leave me for a younger man."
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGounatJbJ4
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-2IwGOvc00
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvZFp0KWZAI
  6. Mentioned in a camp event:
    Uncle: "When old Uncle was just a little boy, back before they called me Uncle, they called me nephew I guess..."
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-2IwGOvc00
  7. Mentioned in a conversation between John and Jack Marston in "Wolves, Dogs and Sons":
    Jack: "Well why do you call him Uncle, then?"
    John: "Folks always did. Probably cause he's always been older than everybody else."
  8. Mentioned in a conversation with Hosea Matthews in a camp event:
    Hosea: "Used to play it in the theaters and on the street all up and down the big rivers, back when I was a young man."
    Uncle: "Well, I was always into running women."
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEDUclcAzPc
  9. Mentioned in a conversation with John Marston in "A Continual Feast":
    Uncle: "I was a rancher myself back in the day."
    John: "Firstly, I don't believe you. Secondly, if you was, why have you been hidin' it all these years?"
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vScLaNg7s-k
  11. Mentioned in a conversation with Hosea Matthews in a camp event:
    Uncle: "I should have been an actor. I'm a natural. But the lure of Africa was too great for me. Did I ever tell you about Timbuktu?"
    Hosea: "Many times, my friend, many times... and I don't believe any of it."
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEDUclcAzPc
  12. Mentioned in a conversation with Arthur Morgan in "Polite Society, Valentine Style":
    Uncle: "Well, in my youth, I used to be known as the 'one-shot kid'."
    Arthur: "Okay... I'm not gonna ask why."
  13. 13.0 13.1 Stated in Uncle's character biography in Red Dead Redemption 2: The Complete Official Guide Collector's Edition.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Mentioned in a conversation with John Marston in "A Continual Feast":
    Uncle: "They liked havin' me around. It was you who had the beef with them, not me."
    John: "They liked watchin' you fall over, and that's as far as it went. And you was only around when the whisky [sic] was open and they wanted women."
  15. Stated in Abigail's character profile on page 28 of Red Dead Redemption 2: The Complete Official Guide.
  16. Mentioned in a conversation with John Marston in "A Continual Feast":
    Uncle: "I could've stayed with them, you know."
    John: "Me and Abigail was the only ones who looked out for you. Nobody else gave a damn. You'd have been dead within a month."
  17. Mentioned in a conversation with Arthur Morgan in "High and Low Finance":
    Arthur: "Have you ever robbed a bank?"
    Uncle: "Of course I have. What about that one up near Canada with you and Bill a couple of years ago?"
    Arthur: "You was the lookout, and not a very good one if I remember right."
    https://youtu.be/Sr-iAWuS444?t=117
  18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JckHCKzaNs
  19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK5jU8IKp0Y

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