Hollywood star Anthony Mackie is on a mission to raise his children with values from a bygone era, steering them clear from the pitfalls of internet fame and celebrity culture.
- Mar 17, 2025
AceShowbiz - Anthony Mackie may be Hollywood royalty, but don't expect his children to live like modern princes. The "Captain America" star is determined to raise his sons with old-school values. While discussing his parenting, he regretted "the death of the American male."
"So, it is just that thing of in the past 20 years, we've been living through the death of the American male. They have literally killed masculinity in our homes, in our communities for one reason or another," he said, "but I raise my boys to be young men."
During a candid conversation on "The Pivot" podcast, Mackie, 46, made his parenting philosophy clear: his children will steer clear of the allure of Hollywood's entitlement and glamour.
"I keep my boys humble. Like my boys have never had a pair of Jordans. My boys don't do all that internet fly s***," Mackie emphasized. "I could be the biggest star in the world. Do not let me catch you being stupid."
Mackie is determined to raise his sons to be polite and responsible young men. His oldest son, 15, has taken on the role of enforcer in the house, making sure his younger brothers understand and follow the rules.
"My oldest gets it - my 15-year-old. He tells the other ones, he's like, 'Yo, don't make Dad mad,' " Mackie shared. The Marvel actor recognizes that instilling values in one child can have a ripple effect on the rest.
In a world that is increasingly tilted towards instant fame and social media, Mackie's approach is indeed rare.
His decisions are influenced by his desire to protect his children from the harsh spotlight of his own global stardom. "I've always kept my personal life out of the business," he told Esquire. "I don't allow people to photograph my kids. I don't bring my kids around. I want my kids to be normal."
