‘They Have Literally Killed Masculinity’: Marvel Star Talks About Raising Sons In America

Marvel star Anthony Mackie talked about raising his sons in America amid what he decried was the “death of the American male,” and said that he feels “American masculinity” is truly vital for boys. 

During the 46-year-old actor’s appearance on the “Pivot” podcast, the “Captain America: Brave New World” star said he is raising his boys to be men and that he’s taught his sons to still hold the door open for a lady and to take care of their mom. Mackie shares four sons with ex-wife Sheletta Chapital, the Hollywood Reporter noted.

“So, it is just that thing of in the past 20 years, we’ve been living through the death of the American male,” Mackie told the hosts. “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,” he added. “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 you wake up.’ Because we’re men.”

“For the past 20 years, we’ve been living through the death of the American male, they’ve killed masculinity in our communities…” @AnthonyMackie

Star actor Anthony Mackie has soared to the highest levels in Hollywood but one thing he doesn’t play about is raising his boys to… pic.twitter.com/hqRuv6WZZZ

— Pivot Podcast (@thepivot) March 12, 2025

“Because you can have all the money in the world, but that motherf**ker climbs through the window that money means nothing,” Mackie continued. “So, for me, it’s always that idea of American masculinity is very different. It’s just that American masculinity is very important for boys because now our little boys are afraid to fail so they don’t try.”

Mackie previously labeled himself “a proud American” when he responded to backlash against him for saying he didn’t believe “the term America” was one of the things that truly represented the superhero Captain America. Instead, he argued that the character represents things like “honor, dignity, and integrity.”

“Let me be clear about this, I’m a proud American and taking on the shield of a hero like CAP [Captain America] is the honor of a lifetime,” the Marvel star wrote in an Instagram Stories.

“I have the utmost respect for those who serve and have served our country,” he added. “CAP has universal characteristics that people all over the world can relate to.”

The original comments came while Mackie, whose character Sam Wilson has now taken over the Captain America role, was on a press tour in Rome for the new Disney movie. The hero role was formerly played by Chris Evans, as previously reported.

“For me, Captain America represents a lot of different things and I don’t think the term ‘America’ should be one of those representations,” the actor said in the viral clip. “It’s about a man who keeps his word, who has honor, dignity, and integrity. Someone who is trustworthy and dependable.”

Related: John Rich Joins Backlash Against Marvel Star, Won’t Take Kids To New ‘Captain America’