Tattoos on the Heart Characters

An eighteen-year-old kid, the first of many whom Father Gregory Boyle buries during his time in Los Angeles.

Famous Hollywood agent who funds Father Gregory Boyle’s nonprofit work.

Former drug dealer who works as a foreman at Homeboy Industries.

English mystic who influenced Father Gregory Boyle’s thinking.

Young ex-gang member who works for Homeboy Industries.

Friend and “spiritual director” to Father Gregory Boyle.

Famous news anchor who interviews Father Gregory Boyle and visits his church in Los Angeles.

Young man who asks Father Gregory Boyle for money.

Impoverished child of an abusive drug addict.

One of Father Gregory Boyle’s employees at Homeboy Industries.

Aggressive man who later works for Father Gregory Boyle.

Heroin addict and prostitute.

Young gang member who doesn’t want to use his real name around Father Gregory Boyle.

Young gang member who begins to open up to Father Gregory Boyle when Boyle uses his real name.

Young gang member who risks his life walking through rival gang territory.

Pious woman who tells Speedy she cares about him.

Young, lively kid who’s killed in a fight between gang members.

One of Father Gregory Boyle’s congregants, who insists that Boyle leave a piece of insulting, racist graffiti that appeared on the church.

Gang member who admits to Father Gregory Boyle that he wants to have a life.

Drug dealer who becomes a mechanic.

Mechanic friend to Father Gregory Boyle.

Los Angeles native who grew up going to Father Gregory Boyle’s church.

Los Angeles native who grew up going to Father Gregory Boyle’s church.

Former student of Father Gregory Boyle who goes on a lecture tour with him.

Former student of Father Gregory Boyle who goes on a lecture tour with him.

Young man who’s murdered in a gang fight.

Brother of Cisco Martinez.

Young woman who, Father Gregory Boyle realizes, thinks that she’s going to die soon.

Employee of Father Gregory Boyle and mother of two children.

Teenager who forgives his mother for abusing him for years.

An employee of Homeboy Industries.

A former employee of Homeboy Industries who now has a wife and three kids.

Employee of Homeboy Industries, who comes from a gang that is the rival of Fabian’s former gang, and who later accompanies Father Gregory Boyle on his trip to Washington, D.C.

Teenager who accepts an award on Father Gregory Boyle’s behalf.

Teenager who asks Father Gregory Boyle when the gang violence will end.

Teenager who practices his vocabulary with Father Gregory Boyle.

Aggressive gang member whose tattoos Father Gregory Boyle removes.

Gang member who’s murdered, and supposedly dreams about his own death beforehand.

Friend of Psycho.

Young ex-gang member who works for Homeboy Industries

Former gang member who takes a job at Chuck E. Cheese.

Former gang member who asks Father Gregory Boyle to buy him shoes.

One of the two gang members responsible for accidentally injuring a woman.

One of the two gang members responsible for accidentally injuring a woman (who turns out to be Johnny’s own mother).

Local resident who drinks heavily.

Drug dealer who miraculously survives a car crash.

Local ex-gang member who drives out of town with Father Gregory Boyle.

Local ex-gang member who drives out of town with Father Gregory Boyle.

Mexican prisoner who prepares a delicious stew.

Employee of Homeboy Silkscreen

An old rival of Clever’s.

Elderly woman who mentions an image of the Virgin Mary appearing on a tortilla.

Young ex-gang member who works for Homeboy Industries.

Young ex-gang member who works for Homeboy Industries.

Young ex-gang member who smells Mario’s chest.

Young ex-gang member who works for Homeboy Industries.

Gang member and the brother of Jacob and Adam.

Young brother of Adam and Rickie, who’s killed in a turf war.

Gang member and the brother of Rickie and Jacob.

Famous missionary and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, who influenced the religious thinking of Father Gregory Boyle.

Young ex-gang member who works for Homeboy Industries.

Young woman who loses her partner in a gang shootout.

Ex-gang member who’s murdered shortly before he leaves to join the Marines.

Mother of Ronnie.

Young ex-gang member who works for Homeboy Industries.

Young ex-gang member who works for Homeboy Industries.

Young ex-gang member who works for Homeboy Industries.

First Lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009.

An employee of Father Gregory Boyle

Young ex-gang member who works for Homeboy Industries.

Young ex-gang member who works for Homeboy Industries.

Young ex-gang member who works for Homeboy Industries.

Ex-gang member who’s shot and killed.

Young ex-gang member who works for Homeboy Industries

Ex-gang member who accompanies Father Gregory Boyle on his trip to Washington, D.C.

Ex-gang member who accompanies Father Gregory Boyle on his trip to Washington, D.C.

Ex-gang member who works for Homeboy Industries and who’s shot and killed.

A former gang member who at first refuses to engage with former members of other gangs. But humor breaks down the wall between him and a former rival gang memberArtie, and the two become great friends.

A gang member who impresses Boyle by his joy and love for his son.

A former gang member who recovered from a drug addiction. After he recovered his brother died, but he didn't allow his pain to cause push him back into addiction.