In light of a series of misogynistic and sexist comments from Call of Duty voice actor Jeff Leach, Activision has severed ties with the performer best known for his role as Ghost.
Twitter user NitroLukeDX posted a compilation of clips to their account of Jeff Leach making several misogynistic comments during streams, the earliest from 2017. In the first clip, Leach insults a female Twitch streamer who was unable to appear on his stream. Leach made comments about TheZombiUnicorn about their appearance.
[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 in a separate post on their own Twitter account, asking why Facebook and Activision still maintain partnerships with Leach, describing the situation as “frustrating” and “exhausting”.
CharlieIntel, who first reported the story, was contacted by Activision with an official statement. The developer says it “condemn” Leach’s remarks, affirming that decision “has no place in our industry, our games or in society,”
The company added that “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.”
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
Facebook Gaming has yet to come forward to comment on Jeff Leach’s remarks. Leach is best known for his voice acting roles as Ghost in the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot and battle-royale Warzone. Ghost was added as a Warzone operator in February 2020, during the game’s second season.
In other Call of Duty news, Rambo will be coming to Warzone as an operator. . A skin and bow pack inspired by Sylvester Stallone’s infamous action hero will arrive on May 20, 2021.
And, based on another cryptic tweet from the official Call of Duty Twitter account, there’s a strong chance Warzone will be graced with the arrival of another 80s action star, Bruce Willis’ John McClane. If we’re to expect a wave of more Hollywood stars from the 1980s, it would coincide nicely with Warzone’s recent trip back in time with the launch of Season 3.
