Uncle

"Why don't I get a warm and﻿ tender embrace?"

- Uncle to John Marston

Uncle is a supporting character featured in Red Dead Redemption.

Uncle is an aging alcoholic and reformed petty thief. Although borderline dysfunctional, Uncle is included in the Marston family, and provided with food and shelter at the family ranch. He sometimes manages to contribute, but to his chagrin, he is often viewed by John as inept. "Uncle" is a nickname, and he is of no biological relation to any of the Marstons. (John qualifies this statement with "at least I sincerely hope not.")

Uncle, in his own way, can be viewed as seeking redemption from his life of petty crime by working on the Marston ranch. This parallels the decisions of John and Abigail to leave the Van der Linde gang and lead a normal life.

Mission Appearances

 * The Outlaw's Return
 * By Sweat and Toil (Boss)
 * A Continual Feast (Boss)
 * Spare The Love, Spoil The Child
 * The Last Enemy That Shall Be Destroyed (Killed)

Trivia

 * It is implied by John that Uncle has many illegitimate children.
 * Uncle can be seen with a yellow-brown residue in his beard. Players speculate this may be spilled alcohol, food, emesis or chewing tobacco. This appearance reinforces him as an unperceptive alcoholic.
 * John and Uncle were former drinking buddies. This is made clear when John says "this is why they say 'don't hire the people you drink with.'"
 * Uncle seems to bear a passing physical resemblance to the character of Uncle Albert from the long running British sitcom Only Fools and Horses, although it is not known if this is purely coincidental or not. He also resembles the character Freddie Sykes from the film The Wild Bunch.
 * When you walk by prostitutes, Jack may say "Uncle told me about girls like you." or "Uncle warned me about women like you."
 * Uncle shares a physical resemblance and character with the "Candy" character from Steinbecks' Of Mice And Men.
 * After hearing stories at a campfire, John will sometimes comment that he "knows an old drunk who would love that one." He is likely referring to Uncle.
 * There is also a rumor that Uncle is actually the old version of Red Harlow. This is implied by the fact that both have similar scars on the left side of their faces. Uncle also wears one glove on his right hand, referencing the scorpion scar on Harlow's right hand. Uncle and Harlow also seem to have similar noses. This may be wrong however as Uncle is a little too old to be Red.
 * Despite being elderly he seems to still have knowledge of weapons, because in the final mission he assists John and Jack in a final stand against the army leading to his death.