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How Activision CEO Bobby Kotick Ended Up in a Hollywood Film

Don't expect Kotick to show up in anymore movies, though.

Yep, that's Kotick. In a movie.
Yep, that's Kotick. In a movie.

The Internet put on its WTF face when the trailer for Moneyball showed up, featuring someone who looked awfully like Activision CEO Bobby Kotick portraying the owner of the Oakland Athletics.

Turned out it actually was him, though. But...how? Why? What?

Reuters spoke with Kotick, who explained he's friends with Moneyball director Bennett Miller.

“We were having dinner and Bennett was talking about Moneyball and he asked me a little bit about an owner’s psychology and what an owner would be like," said Kotick. "I started reading the script and I said, I really think the words don’t capture how an owner would react to this part of the conversation. "

Miller pitched Kotick on the idea of portraying the role himself, with Kotick asking Miller to film something for The Call of Duty Endowment charity, which helps integrate war veterans back into society. All of the ticket proceeds from next month's Call of Duty XP, for example, go to the charity.

When the trailer hit, I immediately went to IMDB but couldn't find Kotick's name anywhere. That's because he won't be credited for the appearance--it was simply a favor to a friend.

Patrick Klepek on Google+

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patrickklepek

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Edited By patrickklepek
Yep, that's Kotick. In a movie.
Yep, that's Kotick. In a movie.

The Internet put on its WTF face when the trailer for Moneyball showed up, featuring someone who looked awfully like Activision CEO Bobby Kotick portraying the owner of the Oakland Athletics.

Turned out it actually was him, though. But...how? Why? What?

Reuters spoke with Kotick, who explained he's friends with Moneyball director Bennett Miller.

“We were having dinner and Bennett was talking about Moneyball and he asked me a little bit about an owner’s psychology and what an owner would be like," said Kotick. "I started reading the script and I said, I really think the words don’t capture how an owner would react to this part of the conversation. "

Miller pitched Kotick on the idea of portraying the role himself, with Kotick asking Miller to film something for The Call of Duty Endowment charity, which helps integrate war veterans back into society. All of the ticket proceeds from next month's Call of Duty XP, for example, go to the charity.

When the trailer hit, I immediately went to IMDB but couldn't find Kotick's name anywhere. That's because he won't be credited for the appearance--it was simply a favor to a friend.

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charlie_victor_bravo

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Nooo!

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chickdigger802

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Edited By chickdigger802

pretty rad lol.

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blake_brown

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Edited By blake_brown

suck it kotick

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crusader8463

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Edited By crusader8463

He also gave advice for the actor that played Darth Sedious in the Star Wars films.

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Brendan

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Edited By Brendan

Interesting story, thanks Patrick.

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mfpantst

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Edited By mfpantst

I can't believe I'm saying this.  This is damn cool.

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PatVB

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Edited By PatVB
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Castiel

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Edited By Castiel

Eight!

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lockwoodx

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Edited By lockwoodx

If only Kotick would have been a director and used his powers for good.

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Kyreo

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Edited By Kyreo

Fascinating.

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NMC2008

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Edited By NMC2008

Love the Jerry Dandrige sweater he's got going. I am a Kotick fan I must say.

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Colonel_Fury

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Edited By Colonel_Fury

That's pretty awesome.

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Ghostiet

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Edited By Ghostiet
@crusader8463 said:
He also gave advice for the actor that played Darth Sedious in the Star Wars films.

In the original trilogy, even.

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Concise

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Edited By Concise

"any_more"

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YOUNGLINK

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Edited By YOUNGLINK

11?

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deactivated-5a1a3d3c6820c

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Why do I feel like i've seen this exact article before? :S

Deja-vu like a mother fucker.

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Sooperspy

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Edited By Sooperspy
@Khann: There was one, but that was before anyone even knew that it actually was Kotick. 
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bassman2112

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Edited By bassman2112

Miller pitched Kotick on the idea of portraying the rolehimself 


FTFY, Patrick =)

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President_Barackbar

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rjaylee

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Edited By rjaylee
Miller pitched Kotick on the idea of portraying the roll himself, with Kotick asking Miller to film something for The Call of Duty Endowment charity, which helps integrate war veterans back into society. All of the ticket proceeds from next month's Call of Duty XP, for example, go to the charity.

I'd actually like to learn more about this.

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darkstorn

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Edited By darkstorn

I don't think this is bad or anything, it's just really bizarre. I guess we'll see if the man can act.

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MisterMouse

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Edited By MisterMouse

I wonder how his acting will be.

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Slaker117

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Edited By Slaker117

Pretty sure IMDB still lists uncredited rolls if it's confirmable. Guess they're just a little slow with this one.

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Sil3n7

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Edited By Sil3n7

Pro tip: When you are already seen as an evil, greedy CEO, staring in a movie called "Moneyball" probably won't help your image.

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dfsvegas

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Edited By dfsvegas

Shit... Kotick did something I admire. Does that mean I can't dislike him any more?

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beomoose

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Edited By beomoose

Ok, but now explain the "hair."

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fuddles

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Edited By fuddles

God help us all.

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ArcLyte

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Edited By ArcLyte

up yours kotick!

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The_Joker

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Edited By The_Joker

"portraying the roll"

role*

Sorry Patrick. We nitpick because we care.

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rndmtask

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Edited By rndmtask

I don't agree with his business practices, but at least he did this for a good cause.

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drjota

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Edited By drjota

I guess he's hoping for...ahem...charitable reviews of his acting debut???

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Pinworm45

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Edited By Pinworm45
@DFSVegas said:

Shit... Kotick did something I admire. Does that mean I can't dislike him any more?

Hitler was a vegetarian (lol godwin). Just because someone does something good or nice doesn't make up for the other shit. 
 
So yes, we can all still hate him amicably.
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Clubvodka

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Edited By Clubvodka
@heatDrive88: The charity is all good and well, it's very altruistic of Kotick however because it's tied to fucking Call of Duty, a series of games that makes war an entertainment experience, its kind of insulting and slightly sick.
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Damian

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Edited By Damian

No more movies for Kotick? What about the rumours of him replacing David Bowie in the Labyrinth remake?!

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Edited By Nomin

A fact: Kotick is a Jew.  
I am just afraid that all this Kotick hatin' will open a whole can of worms preserved from the 1940s.
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Edited By SquirrelGOD

@Pinworm45 said:

@DFSVegas said:

Shit... Kotick did something I admire. Does that mean I can't dislike him any more?

Hitler was a vegetarian (lol godwin). Just because someone does something good or nice doesn't make up for the other shit. So yes, we can all still hate him amicably.

...Did you really just compare the CEO of a fucking VIDEO GAME COMPANY to the man who KILLED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE? You've got to be joking, because there can't be anyone who's that retarded. He's a fucking BUSINESS MAN. Once more: HE. IS. A . BUSINESS MAN. His job, his sole purpose in his career is to make that black number as high as possible every year, and he's pretty good at doing that. Gamers need to stop taking everything so damn personally. If something is costing you money, you stop doing it. Sadly, this means having to close down a failing studio, or lay off some people. It sucks, but it's necessary for survival in an industry that is changing very rapidly.

Christ, I'd hate to think of what would happen to any company that was run by whiny gamers. Thousands of people would quickly be unemployed because of dipshits that were trying too hard to please a pissy, vocal minority that will never stop whining. Ever.

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Edited By Captain_Insano

@The_Joker said:

"portraying the roll"

role*

Sorry Patrick. We nitpick because we care.

You beat me to it. Not really being too critical but it just gets to me too.

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Pinworm45

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Edited By Pinworm45
@SquirrelGOD said:

@Pinworm45 said:

@DFSVegas said:

Shit... Kotick did something I admire. Does that mean I can't dislike him any more?

Hitler was a vegetarian (lol godwin). Just because someone does something good or nice doesn't make up for the other shit. So yes, we can all still hate him amicably.

...Did you really just compare the CEO of a fucking VIDEO GAME COMPANY to the man who KILLED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE? You've got to be joking, because there can't be anyone who's that retarded. He's a fucking BUSINESS MAN. Once more: HE. IS. A . BUSINESS MAN. His job, his sole purpose in his career is to make that black number as high as possible every year, and he's pretty good at doing that. Gamers need to stop taking everything so damn personally. If something is costing you money, you stop doing it. Sadly, this means having to close down a failing studio, or lay off some people. It sucks, but it's necessary for survival in an industry that is changing very rapidly.

Christ, I'd hate to think of what would happen to any company that was run by whiny gamers. Thousands of people would quickly be unemployed because of dipshits that were trying too hard to please a pissy, vocal minority that will never stop whining. Ever.

Yes, you're exactly right, I was literally making the point that Bobby Kotick is exactly like Hitler. I wasn't in any way trying to make the point that doing something good doesn't make up for everything bad, and I especially wasn't saying that when I said "doing something good or nice doesn't make up for the other shit". 
 
You caught me, a regular Sherlock of deduction you are.
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beforet

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Edited By beforet

Best part is, I might see this movie purely for Kotick.

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JP_Russell

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Edited By JP_Russell

Well, he is perfect for the part, I suppose.  He knows all about the mentality of the typical, sociopathic businessman.

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SquirrelGOD

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Edited By SquirrelGOD

@Pinworm45 said:

@SquirrelGOD said:

@Pinworm45 said:

@DFSVegas said:

Shit... Kotick did something I admire. Does that mean I can't dislike him any more?

Hitler was a vegetarian (lol godwin). Just because someone does something good or nice doesn't make up for the other shit. So yes, we can all still hate him amicably.

...Did you really just compare the CEO of a fucking VIDEO GAME COMPANY to the man who KILLED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE? You've got to be joking, because there can't be anyone who's that retarded. He's a fucking BUSINESS MAN. Once more: HE. IS. A . BUSINESS MAN. His job, his sole purpose in his career is to make that black number as high as possible every year, and he's pretty good at doing that. Gamers need to stop taking everything so damn personally. If something is costing you money, you stop doing it. Sadly, this means having to close down a failing studio, or lay off some people. It sucks, but it's necessary for survival in an industry that is changing very rapidly.

Christ, I'd hate to think of what would happen to any company that was run by whiny gamers. Thousands of people would quickly be unemployed because of dipshits that were trying too hard to please a pissy, vocal minority that will never stop whining. Ever.

Yes, you're exactly right, I was literally making the point that Bobby Kotick is exactly like Hitler. I wasn't in any way trying to make the point that doing something good doesn't make up for everything bad, and I especially wasn't saying that when I said "doing something good or nice doesn't make up for the other shit". You caught me, a regular Sherlock of deduction you are.

Well, good. Now that you know what the problem is, you can work on not being an idiot. World keeps on spinnin'!

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GaspoweR

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Edited By GaspoweR

Well if @President_Barackbar said:

@pat4327 said:

Don't worry, even if he's not on IMDB, he'll always have a page on Screened!

http://www.screened.com/bobby-kotick/14-882539/

Suck it IMDB!

Well if IMDB doesnt have it...THEN WHY DOES SCREENED HAVE IT, EH??? CONSPIRACY!

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Pinworm45

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Edited By Pinworm45
@SquirrelGOD said:

@Pinworm45 said:

@SquirrelGOD said:

@Pinworm45 said:

@DFSVegas said:

Shit... Kotick did something I admire. Does that mean I can't dislike him any more?

Hitler was a vegetarian (lol godwin). Just because someone does something good or nice doesn't make up for the other shit. So yes, we can all still hate him amicably.

...Did you really just compare the CEO of a fucking VIDEO GAME COMPANY to the man who KILLED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE? You've got to be joking, because there can't be anyone who's that retarded. He's a fucking BUSINESS MAN. Once more: HE. IS. A . BUSINESS MAN. His job, his sole purpose in his career is to make that black number as high as possible every year, and he's pretty good at doing that. Gamers need to stop taking everything so damn personally. If something is costing you money, you stop doing it. Sadly, this means having to close down a failing studio, or lay off some people. It sucks, but it's necessary for survival in an industry that is changing very rapidly.

Christ, I'd hate to think of what would happen to any company that was run by whiny gamers. Thousands of people would quickly be unemployed because of dipshits that were trying too hard to please a pissy, vocal minority that will never stop whining. Ever.

Yes, you're exactly right, I was literally making the point that Bobby Kotick is exactly like Hitler. I wasn't in any way trying to make the point that doing something good doesn't make up for everything bad, and I especially wasn't saying that when I said "doing something good or nice doesn't make up for the other shit". You caught me, a regular Sherlock of deduction you are.

Well, good. Now that you know what the problem is, you can work on not being an idiot. World keeps on spinnin'!

Hold on, did you know that Gandhi was Bald, and so is Jason Alexander? 
 
Of course, what I'm REALLY inferring, is that Gandhi was socially bad, like George, and that he once tried to poison his boss. Because leaps in logic like that aren't stupid or anything.
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metalmoog

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Edited By metalmoog

That's awesome. Bobby Kotick rules. He's the king of kings.

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Blueman

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Edited By Blueman

I like Kotick, he's quite funny.

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Example1013

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Edited By Example1013

Kotick does know how to be a businessman in charge of a for-profit organization that needs to make money.

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TheGreatGuero

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Edited By TheGreatGuero

He's going to become a Hollywood darling. I predict a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for this performance!

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Edited By mpgeist

I'm more surprised Bobby has friends than him appearing in a movie.

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Edited By MeesterO

Makes sense, Most of the owners of the Athletics have been notoriously cheap.