10 Things Even Fans Didn’t Know About Arthur Morgan

Arthur Morgan, a cherished character and a tragic hero, is renowned among video game enthusiasts as one of the greatest ever. He’s best known for his role in the widely acclaimed game, “Red Dead Redemption 2.” Though he wasn’t explicitly named in the original game, his impact on the series is undeniable. Throughout the years, fans have grown familiar with the outlaw whose story left a lasting impression in 2018. Yet, there are interesting tidbits about Arthur that might still be unknown to many.

1. He is Rob Wiethoff’s favorite character

Rob Wiethoff, renowned for lending his voice to John Marston, was involved in both games within the series. His exceptional portrayal, particularly as the central figure in Red Dead Redemption and the sequel’s epilogue, has earned him a significant role in the franchise. Interestingly, Wiethoff expressed his fondness for another character: Arthur Morgan. During a panel discussion in 2019, he stated openly, “In truth, my preferred character is Arthur.” He further explained that it was a delight to play both characters, but his clear favorite was Arthur Morgan.

2. Arthur’s bounty was massive

Regardless of the choices you make within Red Dead Redemption 2, Arthur Morgan accumulates a bounty on his head. Unless you strictly adhere to the mission’s requirements without engaging in any external misdeeds, you will find that your actions result in unique bounties at various locations. However, there is also an overarching bounty on Arthur’s head that aligns with the game’s narrative, regardless of how morally good or bad your playthrough has been. Agent Milton declared this bounty to be $5,000, which equates to approximately $150,000 in today’s inflation-adjusted currency. Considering the time period (1899), that amount of money was nearly a life-altering sum for someone like Arthur Morgan, who was committing crimes during this era.

3. New Austin wasn’t always impossible for Arthur to get to

Despite your best efforts, Arthur Morgan cannot gain access to New Austin within Red Dead Redemption 2. While players have discovered methods to manipulate the game and sneak Arthur into town, this unconventional approach was not the intended means for entry by the developers. Although the character has distinct dialogue and journal entries when glitching into New Austin, it suggests that a trip to New Austin was initially planned during development, possibly as part of the storyline.

4. Arthur could originally gain weight even when sickly

In the engaging world of Red Dead Redemption 2, one standout feature is that Arthur Morgan needs to eat regularly. If he eats too much, his character becomes overweight. On the other hand, if he doesn’t consume enough food, he becomes undernourished and weak. However, after Arthur receives his diagnosis, this dynamic changes as he can no longer gain significant weight and has limited appetite. Prior to a recent update, players could excessively feed Arthur, helping him regain an overweight stature even with his tuberculosis. This option was removed in the update, replaced by a message advising that “Since you’re sick, you will only receive nutrition benefits from consuming a limited amount of food and drink.

5. A prominent WWE wrestler influenced Arthur Morgan

Roger Clark drew inspiration for his portrayal of Arthur from various sources. Notably, he admires WWE star Stone Cold Steve Austin, evident from his Instagram post. Additionally, he mentioned taking quite a bit from the acting style of legendary Western actor John Wayne. In an interview with Shack News, he admitted to borrowing elements from Wayne’s work. Moreover, some characteristics were inspired by the character John Marston from the game Red Dead Redemption, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

6. Arthur posed for a Charles Chatenay exhibit photo

One intriguing optional mission (not particularly beneficial in the long run) is the Charles Chatenay subplot. In this storyline, Arthur develops a friendship with an unusually eccentric artist. He safeguards him and assists in his escape after his avant-garde artwork sparks negative responses. Interestingly, before things go awry at the exhibition, there’s a painting of Arthur on display, suggesting he also posed for photos for Albert Wilson; this specific one was taken while Arthur rescued him from the wolf, but it depicts Arthur fully clothed.

7. He parallels Doc Holliday

Doc Holliday stands out as one of history’s most renowned gunfighters. Interestingly, the character Arthur Morgan from the game Red Dead Redemption 2 might be an artistic depiction of him due to some remarkable resemblances. For instance, they both passed away at age 36 and were victims of tuberculosis, which are the key parallels. These similarities are substantial enough for Rockstar Games to intentionally link their fictional gunslinger with a real-life character.

8. Arthur’s deceased child almost made it into the game

One sad aspect of Arthur’s past is that his family – his wife and child – were killed while he was away, possibly during his criminal activities. This adds complexity to his character, as it might have played a role in their deaths. In an earlier draft of the script, Arthur’s son was meant to perish from cold in the snow on his journey to Colter, but this was changed. However, Isaac, his son, does appear in the game, despite the initial alterations.

9. Arthur Morgan’s worldview was surprisingly progressive

In the year 1899, a game was set, only about four decades after the abolition of slavery in the United States. The country was deeply entrenched in racism, which was woven into its cultural fabric. This prejudice manifested itself through various characters. However, Arthur stood out as an exception to the norms of his time. He consistently displayed no signs of racism, minimal misogyny, and generally embodied progressive values for the turn of the century. His diverse gang played a significant role in this, having taken him in at the tender age of 14. This early exposure to diversity helped shape Arthur’s mindset such that he never viewed anyone in his gang as inferior, even though society might have.

10. Arthur’s father’s hat and role were passed down

As a devotee, I’d put it this way: I’m talking about Arthur, a rogue with a distinctive hat that echoes his outlaw father’s style. You can spot an old photograph of the senior Morgan – who met his end through theft – within the game, wearing you guessed it, the same cap. Interestingly enough, Arthur later becomes a mentor to John Marston, passing away while bestowing upon him the very hat that symbolizes their shared outlaw lineage in a deeply poetic closure.

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2025-08-28 01:14