Anthony Mackie's 4 Kids: Everything theCaptain AmericaStar Has Said About Raising His Sons (and How His Marvel Character Helped Them ‘Bond’)

Mar. 15, 2025

Anthony Mackie attends the Premiere Of “Captain America: Brave New World” at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 11, 2025 in Hollywood, California.Photo:Frazer Harrison/WireImage

Anthony Mackie attends the Premiere Of “Captain America: Brave New World” at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 11, 2025 in Hollywood, California.

Frazer Harrison/WireImage

Anthony Mackiemay be Captain America to kids across the globe, but to his own children, he prioritizes being a father.

The actor shares four young sons with his ex-wife Sheletta Chapital. When he’s not working on another critically acclaimed drama or installment in theMarvel Cinematic Universe, Mackie spends his time with his children attheir home in New Orleans, where they have frequent family game nights.

While theCaptain America: Brave New Worldstar has stressed the importance of keeping his kids out of the spotlight, like any parent, that hasn’t stopped him from gushing over his boys throughout his career.

“My first job, my most important job, isjust being a good dad,” Mackie told PEOPLE. “Being the dad that my dad was for me. My work part of it doesn’t really matter.”

Although his sons are more focused on his role as a father, Mackie toldVanity Fairin 2020 that being in Marvel movies and becoming Captain America has helped him and his kids get even closer.

“That’s what this character has become. It’s a way for my sons and I to bond over movies,” he said.

From how they feel about their dad being a superhero to what they’ve taught the actor about life, here’s everything to know aboutAnthony Mackie’s four kids and what the actor has said about fatherhood.

They’ve influenced Mackie’s career

Anthony Mackie attends “Captain America: Brave New World” photocall at Hotel De La Ville on January 27, 2025 in Rome, Italy.Ernesto Ruscio/Getty

Anthony Mackie attends “Captain America: Brave New World” photocall at Hotel De La Ville

Ernesto Ruscio/Getty

Mackie has been vocal about how having kidschanged his perspective and relationship with his career, namely in his desire to afford his sons all the opportunities he didn’t have growing up.

“My kids changed a lot for me,” Mackie said during a 2024Hollywood Reporterroundtable. “Now, as they get older and I’m working so much, it’s a dangerous negotiation."

He explained that his dad’s education ended in the eighth grade. The actor revealed that when he left home, he only had $435. “I want to give my kids the opportunity of leaving home with the advantage that all my [Juilliard] classmates had when I got to school,” Mackie added.

He continued, “Looking at my kids, I’m like, I never want them to experience the struggle. I want them to know what the regular American man experiences trying to put a meal on the table, but I don’t want them to have the struggle.”

Mackie’s kids care more about his role as a dad than his career

Anthony Mackie attends the UK Photocall “Captain America: Brave New World” at Trafalgar Square on January 30, 2025 in London, England.

Despite being one of the most beloved actors in the MCU, his kids don’t pay too much attention to that part of his life.

“They’re pretty muchreally not into me as an actorat all,” Mackie told PEOPLE in 2021. “It’s shockingly funny how much they couldn’t care less about me being in movies.”

While Mackie originally thought becomingCaptain Americawould score him cool points with his sons, they actually aren’t fans of Marvel movies.

“I tell my boys, I’m like, ‘Yo, I’m the coolest … I’m the dad everybody wants.’ And my sons don’t watch Marvel movies,” Mackie said during the 2024 roundtable. “They have no idea. I’ll FaceTimeSebastian [Stan]. I’m like, ‘Yo man. Say what’s up to my son.’ And my son’s like, ‘Hey?’ They don’t [care.] To them, I’m dad.”

Although Mackie’s sons may not be all that interested in his acting career,TheWinter Soldierstar did joke that he might be able to pique their interest if he pivoted to Twitch streaming.

“I can’t remember his name, but there’s this British dude who sits online and plays Minecraft and all these kids watch him,” Mackie told PEOPLE in 2021. “This dude is likeMichael Jacksonin my house, to my boys.”

They live out of the spotlight in New Orleans

Anthony Mackie and Sheletta Chapital attend the premiere of “The Adjustment Bureau” at the Ziegfeld Theatre on February 14, 2011 in New York City.Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic

Anthony Mackie and Sheletta Chapital attend the premiere of “The Adjustment Bureau” at the Ziegfeld Theatre on February 14, 2011 in New York City.

Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic

Mackie prefers to keep his kidsout of the public eyeand grounded inhis hometown of New Orleans.

“I’ve always kept my personal life out of the business,” the8 Mileactor toldEsquirein January 2025. “I don’t allow people to photograph my kids. I don’t bring my kids around. I want my kids to be normal.”

For the Mackies, normal looks like playing soccer and board games, flying drones and visiting the restaurants the actor dined in growing up.

PerEsquire, Mackie is able to be with his kids in New Orleans for about two months out of the year when he’s not working. And when he’s away, the family FaceTimes as much as possible to stay in touch.

Watching his kids grow up is one of Mackie’s favorite parts of fatherhood

Anthony Mackie during the 82nd Annual Golden Globes held at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California.Gilbert Flores/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty

Anthony Mackie during the 82nd Annual Golden Globes held at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California

Gilbert Flores/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty

One of the most joyous aspects of fatherhood for Mackie has been watching each of his sons develop their own individuality.

Speaking to PEOPLE in 2021, the actor shared how “fun” it had been to witness his children develop their own interests.

“They’re getting to the age where their individual personalities are starting to show, it’s fun to be able to embrace that and experience that their growth as individuals,” Mackie said.

“My second kid, he’s a cook. We cook together all the time,” he continued. “My oldest is kind of emotionally like me. I’ve enjoyed just being at home and able to get to know them better as individuals.”

The Marvel star also toldFatherlyin 2020 that witnessing the brotherly bond his sons have fostered has been another one of his favorite parts of being a dad. “The relationship that my boys have with each other, it’s really endearing,” Mackie told the outlet.

“The most rewarding part is seeing them grow up to be good human beings, really nice kids,” he added.

They love board games

Anthony Mackie during the “Captain America: Brave New World” DC Tour on February 12, 2025 in Washington, DC.Shannon Finney/Getty

Anthony Mackie during the “Captain America: Brave New World” DC Tour on February 12, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Shannon Finney/Getty

Family game nights are a staple in the Mackie household.

Speaking to PEOPLE in February 2025,The Falcon and the Winter Soldierstar joked that his boys’ “only goal” is to triumph against him in every board game.

“My boys are so funny because their only goal is to beat me at board games,” Mackie said. “We play board games all the time, and my job never comes in into question. They just love me and appreciate me as dad.”

Some of their favorite games include Monopoly, Uno, Throw Throw Burrito, Throw Throw Avocado and Hungry Hungry Hippo.

“It literally becomesThe Matrixwhen you get into this game,” Mackie said when describing the hijinks of Throw Throw Burrito and Avocado. “My 12-year-old has figured out a system and nobody can figure out his system, but he wins every single time. He just sits back.”

Mackie has educated his sons about the power of representation and voting

Anthony Mackie is interviewed on The Kelly Clarkson Show.Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

Anthony Mackie is interviewed on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

In a 2021 interview withSharpmagazine, the actor discussed the merits of seeing female superheroes on-screen and how it had influenced his boys, sharing, “Before they made [Wonder Woman 1984], I spoke up and said that little girls deserve representation. And little boys need that too. It means a lot to my sons to be able to see a female superhero kicking ass.”

The actor also told Fatherly that he’s “always been cognizant” of what he teaches his sons about race.

“I’ve always been cognizant of the world I want to leave to my kids,” Mackie told Fatherly. “My kids’ circle of friends is very diverse. My kids’ schools are very diverse. But say they’re invited to one of their classmates’ birthday parties, they’re always the only Black kid. That bothers me and that frustrates me.”

“I tell them we the people have all the power. We’re the ones who change what we want our society to be,” Mackie explained. “I try to give my kids information. My oldest is 11. He gets it. He reads. I talk to him about the history of voting, when Black people, when women weren’t allowed to vote."

Mackie and one of his sons shared a special moment when he became Captain America

Anthony Mackie behind the scenes of Marvel Studios' ‘Captain America: Brave New World’.Eli Adé/MARVEL

Anthony Mackie behind the scenes of Marvel Studios' ‘Captain America: Brave New World’.

Eli Adé/MARVEL

While his kids may not be the biggest Marvel fans, that didn’t stop one of Mackie’s sons from having an emotional response to his dad becoming Captain America.

In a 2020 interview breaking down his career withVanity Fair, the actor recalled watchingAvengers: Endgamefor the first time with one of his sons and what it was like watching that final scene where he becomes the next Captain America.

“The movie ends and my son goes, ‘Dad, are you Captain America?’ I said, ‘I think so.’ He goes, ‘Cool.’ And I’m like that’s it? That’s all I get?” Mackie said with a laugh. “A week later he calls me—bawling. And he’s like ‘Dadyou’reCaptain America!’ ”

“So then I start crying,” the actor continued, mimicking him and his son complimenting each other through tears. “It’s funny as a parent you do so much and all you want is the approval of your kids. Nobody else matters, I don’t care what anybody else on the internet says. My son said it was cool, so it’s cool.”

source: people.com