Captain America star Anthony Mackie: “He’s the GOAT, that’s why there are so many bad actors, he makes it so easy”

New Orleans born Anthony Mackie hit the big time for his portrayal Sam Wilson / Falcon / Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with the film Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), and headlining The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) and the recently released Captain America: Brave New World (2025).

The Pivot Podcast recently touched down in New Orleans and Mackie was the special guest with the 46-year-old looking back at his rise to stardom in the film industry and talks us through how it all started and the challenges faced along the way.

One particular figure stands out for Mackie as an important source of inspiration... Denzel Washington.

Mackie stated: ‘Denzel is the GOAT, he f*cked it up for everybody and that’s why you have so many bad actors, as he makes it all look so easy. People watch him and think ...‘I could do that’.... no you can’t as he’s just that good'.

‘He makes it all seem effortless. You can work hard all your live but you will never be able to compete with Denzel'.

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