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Anthony Mackie, famous for portraying superheroes on screen, takes just as much pride in his most important role off-screen — fatherhood.
The 46-year-old star of Captain America: Brave New World recently joined The Pivot podcast, where he shared insights into raising his four sons, his perspectives on masculinity, and his thoughts on success in today’s world.
Raising His Sons with Core Values
Mackie, who co-parents his children with ex-wife Sheletta Chapital, discussed his dedication to teaching his sons, aged between eight and 15, the importance of respect and responsibility.
He stressed that he is focused on raising them to be “young men” in an era where he feels masculinity is being challenged.
“In the past 20 years, we’ve been living through the death of the American male,” Mackie stated. “They have literally killed masculinity in our homes, in our communities, for one reason or another. But I raise my boys to be young men.
“And however you feel about that, you feel about that.”
For Mackie, this means teaching his sons to be humble, respectful, and accountable. He expects them to use phrases like “yes, sir” and “yes, ma’am,” hold doors open for women, and be ready to take on leadership roles within the family.
When he travels for work, Mackie relies on his eldest son to take charge at home.
“If I’m not there to protect, he has to step up,” he said. “Every time I leave for a job, I tell my 15-year-old, ‘You’re the man of the house. Make sure the doors are locked. Set the alarm every night. Call or text me before you go to bed and when you wake up.’ I love that because we’re men.”
Staying Grounded
Despite his fame in Hollywood, Mackie is committed to keeping his kids grounded. He ensures they don’t get caught up in social media trends or materialism.
“I keep my boys humble,” he shared. “They’ve never owned a pair of Jordans. They don’t get caught up in all that internet hype.”
Mackie also emphasizes the importance of setting a strong example for his sons, ensuring that his eldest son leads by teaching the others. “My oldest gets it, my 15-year-old. He tells the younger ones, ‘Yo, don’t make dad mad.’ Once you have one that gets it, he helps straighten out the rest.”
A Shift in Views on Masculinity
Mackie also shared that his views on masculinity have evolved over time.
Reflecting on growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, a period marked by widespread homophobia, he mentioned how his exposure to queer artists in New Orleans and at art school broadened his perspective.
“I used my art to better myself,” he explained, adding that portraying a gay character gave him deeper insight into the lives of people close to him, including his brother and roommate.
“Success Is Given, Not Earned”
During the podcast, Mackie also challenged the common belief that hard work alone guarantees success.
“We’re lying to our kids,” he said. “We tell them if they do well, get good grades, and participate in the right programs, they’ll be successful. ‘If you work hard enough, it’ll pay off.’ But that’s not true.”
Instead, Mackie argued, “Success is given, not earned.” He explained that talent and effort aren’t always enough—opportunities often come from the right person offering them. “You can be the most brilliant person, but it still takes someone to tap you for the job.”
Mackie’s Comments Spark Debate
Mackie’s views on masculinity and parenting generated mixed reactions online.
Some praised him for being actively involved in his children’s lives and instilling discipline, while others criticized his opinions, seeing them as outdated or too rigid—particularly his decision to assign the title of “man of the house” to his teenage son.
One supporter wrote: “There’s a clear difference between masculinity and toxic masculinity. Anthony Mackie’s focus on raising his sons to be respectful, responsible, and protective—like when he makes his 15-year-old the ‘man of the house’—makes him a great role model. We need more men like him.”
However, another commenter disagreed: “A 15-year-old is not the ‘man’ of the house. It’s ridiculous to place adult responsibilities on a child. Sure, give them some responsibility, but don’t burden them with the pressures of adulthood. Children are children for a reason.”
One fan added: “Bro is 100% right. Every man should agree with what he’s saying. Every man.”
Meanwhile, a critic tweeted: “This is silly. First, leaving your 15-year-old as the protector of the house is irresponsible. Secondly, he’s implying that women should know their place in the household, which is also ridiculous. If you’ve met a woman, you’ll know how she’d feel about that (and rightly so)!”
One fan added: “Bro is 100% right. Every man should agree with what he’s saying. Every man.”
Meanwhile, a critic tweeted: “This is silly. First, leaving your 15-year-old as the protector of the house is irresponsible. Secondly, he’s implying that women should know their place in the household, which is also ridiculous. If you’ve met a woman, you’ll know how she’d feel about that (and rightly so)!”
Despite the backlash, Mackie remains steadfast in his beliefs. For him, raising respectful, hardworking, and humble young men is the priority—no matter how society changes.
