MAG COVER: ANTHONY MACKIE IN ‘UPTOWN’: ‘IF YOU NEED A HEARTTHROB, I’M NOT YOUR GUY.’

View the Gallery 3 Photos

And he’s dead serious. Anthony Mackie posed for UPTOWN magazine and shot a sharp, six-photo spread for the publications’s Home & Food issue. The New Orleans-bred actor talks about how he got the bug for acting, his hopes to be just as successful as Don Cheadle and dished on his thoughts on being recognized for his craft. Check out a few excerpts from his interview as well as a behind-the-scenes clip from his photoshoot.

ON HIS LOVE FOR THEATRE:
“It’s instant gratification. I know now that in certain aspects of my life, I’m a whore for attention. I love to be onstage … and I love to say something and hear the audience respond. It’s a drug.”

ON BEING AN ORDINARY GUY:
“I think that’s my niche. Average guy. If your car breaks down, I’m your guy. If you need a heartthrob, I’m not your guy. I’m dead serious.”

ON BEING FAMOUS:
“There’s a difference between being a working actor and being a celebrity … If you’re in this field you have to ask yourself that in the beginning and be honest with yourself. If you want to be a celebrity go after that 100 percent. If you want to be a working actor, it may mean doing a play that no one sees, but you love the craft.”

ON BEING RECOGNIZED FOR HIS CRAFT:
“Sometimes recognition and accolades and possessions aren’t exactly the gravy on the mash potatoes. Sometimes that’s the stuff that comes when it comes. If it doesn’t come, I’m not upset about it because that’s not what I’m looking for.” [SOURCE]