Anthony Mackie is known for playing superheroes on screen, but off-screen, and it looks like takes just as much pride in his most important role — fatherhood.
The 46-year-old Captain America: Brave New World star recently appeared on The Pivot podcast, where he discussed his approach to raising his four sons, his views on masculinity, and the realities of success in today’s world.
However, some of the MCU star’s comments have divided fans…
Raising His Sons with Traditional Values
Mackie – who shares his children with ex-wife Sheletta Chapital – spoke about his commitment to instilling respect and responsibility in his boys, who range in age from eight to 15.
He emphasized that he is raising them to be “young men” in a time when he believes masculinity is under attack.
“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, that means teaching his sons to be humble, respectful, and accountable. He expects them to say “yes, sir” and “yes, ma’am,” open doors for women, and be prepared to take on leadership roles within the household.
When he travels for work, Mackie revealed that he entrusts his eldest son with responsibility over their home.
“If I’m not there to protect, he gotta be there to protect,” he explained. “Every time I left for a job, I tell my 15-year-old, ‘You’re the man of the house. You make sure these doors are locked. Every night this alarm is on. You text me or you call me every night before you go to bed and when you wake up.’ I love that because we’re men.”
Keeping His Kids Humble
Despite his Hollywood success, Mackie is adamant about keeping his children grounded. He makes sure they aren’t caught up in social media trends or materialism.
“I keep my boys humble,” he said. “My boys have never had a pair of Jordans. My boys don’t do all that internet fly s**t.”
He also believes in setting an example for his sons, ensuring that his eldest leads by example. “My oldest gets it, my 15-year-old. He tell the other ones, he’s like, ‘Yo, don’t make dad mad.’ Once you get one that’s right, he’s going to straighten the other ones out.”
A Changing Perspective on Masculinity
Mackie also expressed that his perspective has evolved over the years.
He recalled growing up in the 80s and 90s, when homophobia was widespread, and how his exposure to queer artists in New Orleans and at art school broadened his understanding.
“I used my art to better myself,” he shared, noting that playing a gay character helped him better understand the experiences of people close to him, including his brother and roommate.
“Success Is Given, Not Earned”
During the podcast, Mackie also challenged the conventional wisdom that hard work alone guarantees success.
“We are lying to our kids,” he said. “We tell our kids if they do right and they make the good grades and they go to the programs, they will become successful. ‘If you work hard enough, your work will [pay off].’ And that’s not true.”
Instead, he argued, “Success is given; it is not earned.” He explained that talent and effort are not always enough—it often takes the right person to give someone an opportunity. “You can be the most brilliant mother f—, but it still takes someone to tap you for the gig.”
Mackie’s Comments Spark Debate
Mackie’s comments about masculinity and his parenting philosophy sparked mixed reactions online.
Some praised him for taking an active role in his children’s lives and instilling discipline, while others criticized his views, interpreting them as outdated or overly rigid — such as placing the responsibility of “man of the house” on 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 he mentioned with keeping them humble and making his 15-year-old the ‘man of the house’—makes him a great role model. We need more men like this.”
However, another argued: “A 15 year old is not the “‘man” of the house. That is so ridiculous to put adult pressures on a child. Yeah give them [responsibility] but don’t subject a kid to the traumas of adulthood. Children are children and adults are adults for a reason.”
One fan added: “Bro is 100% correct Every man should agree with what he said. Every man.”
Meanwhile, one critic tweeted: “This is silly. First off leaving your 15 y/o as the protector of the house is irresponsible. Secondly he’s insinuating that women should know their place in the household – which is also silly because if you’ve met a women you’ll know how she’ll feel about that (rightly so)!”
Regardless of the criticism, Mackie remains firm in his beliefs. For him, raising respectful, hardworking, and humble young men is the priority—no matter how society may change.
