Anthony Mackie Prioritizes Family While Climbing Movie Stardom

LOS ANGELES, March 13, 2025 — Actor Anthony Mackie, who recently starred in the film Captain America: Brave New World, is emphasizing the importance of parenting amid his rising stardom. During a recent appearance on the podcast The Pivot, Mackie candidly discussed his approach to raising his four sons.

“I keep my boys humble. Like my boys have never had a pair of Jordans. My boys don’t do all that internet fly stuff,” Mackie remarked. He highlighted that despite his celebrity status, maintaining discipline at home remains paramount. “I could be the biggest star in the world. Do not let me catch you being stupid,” he added.

Mackie’s parenting philosophy is guided by a commitment to building character in his children. He stated, “In the past 20 years, we’ve been living through the death of the American male. They have literally killed masculinity in our homes for one reason or another. But I raise my boys to be young men.”

His eldest son, aged 15, plays an important role in this dynamic. “He tells the other ones, ‘Yo, don’t make dad mad.’ Once you get one that’s right, he’s going to straighten the other ones out,” Mackie explained. He shares his children with ex-wife Sheletta Chapital, with whom he finalized his divorce in 2018.

The actor emphasizes practical lessons for his sons, instilling values such as respect and responsibility from a young age. “Every time I leave for a job, I tell my 15-year-old, ‘You’re the man of the house. Make sure these doors are locked. Text me or call me every night before you go to bed,'” he said.

Mackie asserted that no amount of fame or financial success could replace the importance of family. “For me, it’s always that idea of American masculinity is very different. Money and celebrity mean nothing if I’m not there to protect my family,” he noted.

Having made his film debut in 2002 with 8 Mile, Mackie’s journey through Hollywood has included numerous prominent roles, notably as Sam Wilson, also known as Falcon, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His new role as Captain America has garnered him considerable attention as he navigates the balance of stardom and family life.