Anthony Mackie

Anthony Dwane Mackie, born on September 23, 1978, is an American actor known for his diverse range of roles in film, television, and theater. Mackie's career took off with his film debut in the semi-biographical drama "8 Mile" (2002), where he showcased his talent as a versatile actor. He garnered critical acclaim and a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Actor for his performance in the LGBT drama "Brother to Brother" (2004).
Mackie continued to impress audiences with roles in various genres, including the psychological thriller "The Manchurian Candidate" and the sports film "Million Dollar Baby," both released in 2004. His portrayal of Tupac Shakur in "Notorious" (2009) further solidified his reputation as a skilled actor.


However, Mackie gained global recognition when he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Sam Wilson, also known as Falcon, in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (2014). His character's journey continued in subsequent MCU films, and he ultimately took on the mantle of Captain America in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" (2021), a Disney+ miniseries. Mackie is set to lead his own film titled "Captain America: Brave New World" (2024), further cementing his place in the MCU.
Beyond his work in film, Mackie has also made significant contributions to Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. He has appeared in adaptations such as "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," "Drowning Crow," "McReele," and "A Soldier's Play." His performance in Carl Hancock Rux's "Talk" earned him an Obie Award in 2002.


In addition to his film and stage work, Mackie has showcased his talent on television, portraying Martin Luther King Jr. in the HBO film "All the Way" (2016) and Takeshi Kovacs in the Netflix series "Altered Carbon" (2020). He currently stars as protagonist John Doe in the Peacock series "Twisted Metal" (2023–present).
Overall, Anthony Mackie's versatility as an actor has allowed him to tackle a wide range of roles across different mediums, earning him both critical acclaim and widespread popularity.


Anthony Mackie was born on September 23, 1978, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the son of Martha and Willie Mackie Sr. His father was a carpenter who owned a roofing business called Mackie Roofing. Mackie's brother, Calvin Mackie, is a former associate professor of engineering at Tulane University.
Mackie attended Warren Easton Sr High School and later pursued his passion for the arts at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA). He then graduated from the high school drama program at the North Carolina School of the Arts (NCSA) in 1997. Continuing his education in drama, Mackie graduated from the prestigious Juilliard School's Drama Division as part of Group 30, which included other talented actors such as Tracie Thoms and Lee Pace. This education laid the foundation for Mackie's successful career in acting across various mediums.


In 2002, Anthony Mackie worked as an understudy to Don Cheadle in Suzan-Lori Parks' play Topdog/Underdog and received an OBIE Award for his role in Carl Hancock Rux's play Talk. He gained recognition for his performance as the main antagonist, Papa Doc, in the 2002 film 8 Mile. Mackie's first starring role in a feature film was in the 2003 independent film Brother to Brother, where he portrayed Perry, a young artist struggling with his identity as a gay black man.
The following year, Mackie appeared in the critically acclaimed Million Dollar Baby, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Spike Lee's She Hate Me. In 2006, he starred in Half Nelson, Crossover, and We Are Marshall.


In March 2008, Mackie showcased his talent by starring in three plays by playwright August Wilson at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. He participated in "August Wilson's 20th Century", a month-long presentation of ten staged readings of Wilson's "Century Cycle". Mackie has also been involved in the "24-Hour Plays" held in New York City each fall.
Mackie's versatility as an actor was further demonstrated in his portrayal of Tupac Shakur in the 2009 film Notorious. He also appeared in The Hurt Locker and narrated The Best That Never Was, a documentary about football player Marcus Dupree.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Mackie gained widespread recognition for his role as Sam Wilson, also known as Falcon. He first portrayed the character in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and reprised the role in several subsequent MCU films, including Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Avengers: Endgame (2019).


Outside of the MCU, Mackie showcased his range by portraying Martin Luther King Jr. in the HBO TV drama All the Way (2016) and gang leader King in The Hate U Give (2018). He also appeared in the Netflix science-fiction film IO (2019).
Mackie's talent extends beyond acting, as he has taken on directing and producing roles. He starred in and produced the science fiction film Outside the Wire, released by Netflix in January 2021. Mackie is set to make his directorial debut with the drama film Spark, announced in January 2022.
Additionally, Mackie has several upcoming projects, including leading the action film Ending Things alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas and starring in a live-action series adaptation of the game Twisted Metal for Peacock. He is also attached to a film based on the 1956 Sugar Bowl, which features his brother's alma mater Georgia Tech.


In 2014, Anthony Mackie married his long-time girlfriend and childhood sweetheart, Sheletta Chapital. However, the couple divorced in 2018. Together, they have four children.
Outside of his acting career, Mackie ventured into entrepreneurship by opening a bar called NoBar in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, in the summer of 2011. He had plans to expand with a second NoBar location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in 2013, but ultimately closed all NoBar establishments in 2015.
In November 2013, Mackie faced legal issues when he was arrested for driving while intoxicated. The incident occurred after police initially stopped him for having tinted windows, which is illegal in New York. During the stop, officers detected an odor of alcohol and noted that Mackie had bloodshot eyes. As a result, he was fined $300, mandated to complete a drunk driving program, and prohibited from driving for 90 days in New York state.
On The Kelly Clarkson Show, Mackie bravely shared that he is dyslexic, shedding light on his personal challenges and advocating for awareness of the condition.

References

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2. ^ Louie, Rebecca (August 6, 2006). "Anthony Mackie goes full tilt in 'Half Nelson'". NY Daily News. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
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6. ^ "April 2006 Obituaries Orleans Parish Louisiana". USGenWeb Archives. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
7. ^ "Anthony Mackie". TV Guide. Archived from the original on September 12, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2010.