‘We are lying to kids. Hard work is not a guarantee to success: ‘Captain America’ actor Anthony Mackie

Actor Anthony Mackie, known for his role as Sam Wilson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has questioned the traditional idea that hard work alone leads to success. In a recent interview with The Pivot Podcast, Mackie, 46, said that luck plays a major role in determining who achieves success.

“We are lying to our kids,” Mackie said. “We tell [them] … if they do right and they make the good grades and they go to the programs, they will become successful. ‘If you work hard enough, your work will [pay off].’ And that’s not true.”

In many cases, “success is given [and] not earned,” Mackie added.

A long journey before landing a breakthrough role

Mackie worked in the film and theater industry for over a decade before securing his breakout role in 2014’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” After graduating from the Juilliard School in 2001, he performed in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions and acted in Academy Award-winning films like “The Hurt Locker.” Despite these achievements, he struggled to find steady opportunities in Hollywood.

Mackie estimated that he “put in 10,750 hours of training” before landing a career-changing opportunity. He also took proactive steps, writing letters to executives at Marvel Studios in hopes of joining one of their films. While his letters did not lead to immediate roles, they eventually helped him secure a meeting with directors Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, who offered him a part without revealing details.

“[They said], ‘We can’t say what character you’re playing or who else is going to be in it. Would you do it?'” Mackie recalled. He accepted the offer, seeing it as a rare opportunity to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His role as Sam Wilson later expanded, leading to his starring role in “Captain America: Brave New World.”

Work matters, but luck and timing play a key role

Mackie’s views align with those of other successful individuals who acknowledge that luck plays a significant role in success. Berkshire Hathaway vice chairman Charlie Munger told students at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business in 2018, “There’s also a factor of luck that comes into this thing.”Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban shared a similar perspective in 2023, telling GQ that any billionaire claiming they could start over and achieve the same success is “lying their a– off.” Cuban explained that timing and luck are critical in building a highly successful business.