Anthony Mackie might be known as Captain America to the world, but to his four sons, he’s just Dad. He shares these boys with his ex-wife, Sheletta Chapital, and despite his Hollywood success, he works hard to keep them grounded. The New Orleans native has always been clear that his top priority is fatherhood, and he’s determined to raise his kids outside the glare of fame. He keeps their lives private, ensuring they experience a normal childhood filled with soccer, board games, and flying drones rather than red carpets and movie premieres.
Mackie’s dedication to his children is evident in the way he structures his career and personal life. He admitted in a 2024 Hollywood Reporter roundtable that his kids completely shifted his perspective. Growing up, his own father only had an eighth-grade education, and when Mackie left home, he had just $435 to his name. Because of that experience, he’s determined to provide his sons with opportunities he never had. He wants them to understand the struggles of an average working American but not suffer from them. “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,” he said.
Anthony Mackie’s Four Kids, Ages 8 to 15, Keep Him Grounded in Life
Though Mackie plays one of the most beloved superheroes in the world, his children don’t exactly see him that way. In 2021, he told PEOPLE, “They’re pretty much really not into me as an actor at all. It’s shockingly funny how much they couldn’t care less about me being in movies.” Even when he FaceTimes his Marvel co-stars, including Sebastian Stan, his sons remain unimpressed. “To them, I’m Dad.” He even joked that his kids might only think he’s cool if he became a Twitch streamer since they idolize online gamers far more than movie stars.
Despite their indifference to his Hollywood career, Mackie found that taking on the mantle of Captain America in Avengers: Endgame created an unexpected emotional moment with one of his sons. The first time they watched the movie together, his son casually asked, “Dad, are you Captain America?” When Mackie confirmed it, his son simply replied, “Cool.” But a week later, Mackie received a call from his son, who was in tears. “Dad, you’re Captain America!” the boy sobbed. Mackie started crying too. “It’s funny as a parent—you do so much and all you want is the approval of your kids. Nobody else matters. My son said it was cool, so it’s cool.”
Keeping his children humble is a major part of Mackie’s parenting philosophy. During a 2025 appearance on The Pivot podcast, he revealed that his boys have never owned a pair of Jordans and that he doesn’t let them buy into internet trends. “I could be the biggest star in the world. Do not let me catch you being stupid,” he said, emphasizing that he instills discipline and responsibility in his household. His 15-year-old son, the oldest, understands his father’s expectations and helps keep his younger brothers in line. “Once you get one that’s right, he’s going to straighten the other ones out,” Mackie added.
He also teaches them the value of respect and responsibility. Since they were two years old, he has emphasized saying “thank you,” opening doors for women, and taking care of their mother. Before leaving for work, he always tells his eldest son, “You’re the man of the house. Make sure these doors are locked. Every night this alarm is on. You text me or call me every night before you go to bed and when you wake up.” For Mackie, masculinity isn’t about dominance—it’s about protection, integrity, and being dependable.
Board games are another big part of the Mackie household. His sons’ only goal, he joked, is to defeat him in every game. Their favorites include Monopoly, Uno, Throw Throw Burrito, Throw Throw Avocado, and Hungry Hungry Hippos. “It literally becomes The Matrix when you get into this game,” Mackie said, describing the chaos. His 12-year-old, in particular, has mastered a system for winning every time, a strategy nobody else in the house can crack.
‘Captain America’ Anthony Mackie Shows His Children the Importance of Seeing Heroes Like Them
Mackie is also intentional about teaching his boys the importance of representation. When discussing female superheroes, he pointed out that his sons needed to see strong women on screen just as much as girls did. He has also made sure they understand their place in history and the significance of voting. “I tell them we the people have all the power. We’re the ones who change what we want our society to be,” he said in a 2021 interview. His oldest, now 15, reads about voting rights and the history of disenfranchisement. Mackie makes sure his kids know that their voice matters.
Though he shields his sons from Hollywood, Mackie still shares small, funny moments about them. In a 2025 Esquire interview, he laughed about how one of his kids gave him a poop-emoji plushie for his truck. “My son gave me that,” he explained. “He’s like, ‘You’re a big poop-head!’” Even when balancing a massive career, he never loses sight of the little things that make fatherhood so special.
For Anthony Mackie, being a superhero on screen is one thing, but being a superhero in his sons’ lives is what truly matters.
