Charles Gunn was born in inner-city Los Angeles where he looked after his sister Alonna from a very young age. He became leader of a gang of street-fighters who protected their turf from vampires, which hardened him mentally and gave him great fighting strength and skill. Angel was unable to save Alonna from being turned into a vampire, but eventually gained Gnn’s trust, despite being a vampire. Gunn was forced to stake his own sister, which made him question himself.

Angel began calling on Gunn’s strength when he needed back up in battle or if he needed protection for the people he cared about when he couldn’t do it himself. Gunn eventually became a full-time member of Angel’s gang, which led to a conflict of loyalties with his old gang ties. He realised that his old gang were killing otherwise innocent and harmless demons which led to a showdown, in which Gunn chose Angel over his old friends.

With Angel Investigations, Gunn had a new life with a mission to pursue. He fell in love with Fred Burkle, and their relationship became the centre of his life. He did anything for her, and eventually killed the person responsible for deliberately sending Fred to Pylea in order to save her from having to carry the burden of doing it herself. This action effectively ended their relationship as the guilt of what Gunn had done for her made Fred unable to stay with him. Gunn and Fred stayed friends and continued to fight side by side as part of Angel’s team.

When the evil law firm Wolfram & Hart offered itself to Angel Investigations, Gunn submitted to a procedure at the hands of the W&H medical department which enhanced his mind with a comprehensive understanding of the law. This led to Gunn finally shedding his image as Angel’s burly sidekick, and made him feel more integral to his friends’ mission. Gunn’s mental powers begin to diminish and, fearful of losing his new talents and position of respect, Gunn made a pact with the doctor who implanted his knowledge. He got a permanent upgrade in exchange for signing a release form on an ancient curio stuck in customs.

The curio turned out to be a sarcophagus for the Old One, known as Illyria. Illyria infected Fred and killed her from within. Devastated by his part in her death, Gunn willingly offered himself to take Lindsey’s place in a hell dimension in order to free their former nemesis and get information on how to stop the Senior Partners. Saved by the team, Gunn returned to W&H, determined to seek redemption for his sins. Gunn finally returned to his roots - he defeated Circle member, Senator Bruckner and, despite being seriously injured in the process, went to meet up with Angel and the rest of the team to stage one last fight against the army of the Senior Partners.