Anthony Mackie says leaving Hollywood for New Orleans ‘slowed my career’

The 46-year-old star shared how he wanted to step away from the life of Hollywood and return to his home in New Orleans.

The Captain America: Brave New World actor revealed that he wanted to go back to his hometown as early as 2008 when he was fishing with his friends and golfing with his uncle.

Mackie shared that his decision affected his career in both a positive and negative way.

“Moving to New Orleans slowed my career in a way.”

“But it also gave me the peace of mind and the confidence, being outside of the business, that I can bring a natural humanity into my roles and the things that I do.”

Luckily, Mackie has had a few projects set in New Orleans, so he could work from home, such as Netflix’s 2023 thriller We Have a Ghost and the Twisted Metal series.

While on the set of Twisted Metal, Mackie’s co-star Stephanie Beatriz (Rosa Diaz in Brooklyn Nine-Nine), noticed his passion for the city.

“Anthony is a real caretaker on set.”

“He is constantly checking in on the crew.”

“It’s something that I’ve watched people that I admire in the industry do… they really take care of and pay attention to the things that they love and one of the things that Anthony loves is New Orleans.”

The new Captain America also admires the normality and simplicity of his life back in New Orleans, especially with his four children.

“I’ve always kept my personal life out of the business. I don’t allow people to photograph my kids.”

“I don’t bring my kids around,” said Mackie.

“I want my kids to be normal.”