Call of Duty actor dropped by Activision after resurfaced clip shows him using sexist language
Call of Duty. (Activision)
Activision is no longer working with Call of Duty voice actor Jeff Leach following accusations of sexism.
Leach, a voice actor and streamer, was the voice behind the character Ghost in 2019’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
Activision have cut ties with Leach after misogynistic videos attributed to Leach leaked online.
A Twitter video posted by NitroLukeDX showed a montage of remarks made by Leach over the years.
It includes comments he made about streamer TheZombiUnicorn in 2017 during a live TwinGalaxies show in which they didn’t make an appearance because, he claims, “she’d actually have to be amusing, she couldn’t just rely on her horrendous cleavage”.
Leach was banned from Twitch at the time after the comment.
The video contains a number of other examples of the 37-year-old appearing to abuse young women on his Facebook Gaming channel, where he now streams as an official partner. However, Leach claims the clip was shared “out of context”.
Please be aware the following video contains offensive language.
[1/3] Jeff Leach Misogynist?!
@FacebookGaming Partner, Voice of @CallofDuty "Ghost" @ActivisionSerious personalised intrusive sexism. Influence. Contempt. Violence! Serial offender! @TheZombiUnicorn
Watch the clip RT! Respect Women! #GameOver4Sexism pic.twitter.com/jtNj3xy5sN
— NitroLukeDX (@NitroLukeDX) May 7, 2021
TheZombiUnicorn responded to the video in their own tweet, calling for Activision and FacebookGaming to cut ties with Leach.
“It’s just depressing that we’re still here, people are still speaking out about this stuff often and it feels like we take one step forwards, two steps back,” they said.
“And it’s frustrating to see companies posting ‘supporting women for Women’s History Month’, ‘supporting Black Lives Matter’, putting a rainbow avatar on their profile for Pride Month, and speaking out about hate crimes against Asian people in America, but then they allow creators and content like this on their platforms still.”
I've took some time to address this situation in a thoughtful way & add my voice in the rising concern with how companies like @facebookgaming, @activision & @callofduty continue to overlook prejudiced malicious behaviors by cis white men like Jeff Leachhttps://t.co/cUYd4qkQE6 pic.twitter.com/J8XnH4WFbO— Nati Ⓥ (they/them) (@TheZombiUnicorn) May 8, 2021
Call of Duty news site Charlie Intel received a statement from Activision in response to their story.
“Sexism has no place in our industry, our games or in society,” it reads.
“Activision is no longer working with Jeff Leach. We strongly condemn these remarks. We are committed to delivering a fun and safe experience for all players.”
Leach has responded on Twitter, claiming the clips have been taken out of context and that, “as a professional comic” he has the right to “destroy” trolls on his channel.
He believes that the attacks against him are “pathetic”.
https://twitter.com/jeffleach/status/1391041549631254532?s=20
Facebook Gaming are yet to respond.
For more gaming news, follow Gaymeo on Facebook. You can also email us with any news or tips on [email protected]
