Anthony Mackie opens up about being written off in school due to undiagnosed learning disability. Then he reveals what a ninth grade teacher did
Turning point.
Anthony Mackie is preparing for a major milestone in his acting career, but he is also reflecting on the difficult path he traveled to get there. The actor recently opened up about his early school years, where he was often written off by teachers and peers alike. The reason for this struggle was an undiagnosed learning disability. He did not know at the time that he was dyslexic.
“I grew up, and I was written off by a lot of people, a lot of students, a lot of teachers, because I was dyslexic, and I didn’t know I was dyslexic,” Mackie told PEOPLE. Everything changed for him during his ninth grade year. He found a teacher who truly took the time to help him navigate his education. This mentor introduced him to the works of William Shakespeare and other classic playwrights.
“I had one teacher in ninth grade who introduced me to William Shakespeare,” Mackie says. “As hard as it was for me to understand and comprehend the written word, he took his time and worked with me through Ibsen, through Chekhov, through Shakespeare, through everything. He’s still a friend of mine to this day.”
This early exposure to theater clearly left a lasting impression on Mackie
The Captain America: Brave New World star is now set to return to Broadway in the spring of 2027 to take on the lead role in Macbeth. This production is being directed by Max Webster. It marks his first appearance on the Broadway stage in 16 years. His last role was in 2010 when he performed in A Behanding in Spokane.
“There’s no way to express the amount of emotion, the amount of achievement to be able to do Shakespeare on Broadway 35 years later,” he says. “There’s no words that can capture that.”
Mackie considers this opportunity to be the biggest achievement of his professional life. Even his high-profile work as Captain America does not quite measure up. “There’s nothing, not even Captain America, there’s nothing that can compare to this opportunity, even being considered,” he says. “It’s personally monumental in my life and my regard to be able to do it.”
While he looks toward his future on the stage, he is also busy with his current work in the world of audio entertainment. He is starring in a new sci-fi thriller titled Exoplanet. The project is an Audible Original written by Benjamin Percy and executive produced by Andy Weir. The story follows a group of astronauts who crash-land on a hostile planet. They find themselves stranded in different time periods due to a quantum anomaly.
Mackie plays Jeff Shaw on Audible’s Exoplanet
According to Collider, Mackie plays the character of Jeff Shaw, a chief engineer who is struggling to survive while hoping to return home to his daughter. He mentioned that he used his personal experiences as a father of four sons to build a connection with his character. “I’ve been in that position as a parent where you’re off working, and you just want to get back home to that semblance of unconditional love, rest and appreciation,” he explains.
Mackie performs alongside Ariana DeBose, who plays First Officer Becca Bang stranded in the past, and John Leguizamo, who plays Science Officer Logan Bowers stuck in the future. Mackie’s Shaw is based in the present. The story explores the challenges of communication across time, as the crew members try to figure out why they are separated. It promises to be a gripping listen for fans of science fiction. The podcast will premiere on November 5, Thursday.
Beyond his acting work, Mackie maintains a positive outlook when it comes to his own children. He tries to help them navigate the uncertainty of life by changing how they view failure. “I always tell my kids, ‘You’re going to fail a lot, but what happens when you succeed?’” he says.
He views his upcoming return to Broadway as a success that validates his long journey. He started his path as a 14-year-old student who was struggling with reading. “If I retire after this play, I’m good because I can say that I went from there at 14 years old to, at 48, doing Shakespeare on the biggest stage in front of the biggest audience,” he says.
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