N.O. actor Anthony Mackie reigns as King Bacchus

New Orleans native and NOCCA grad Anthony Mackie, a rising star in Hollywood, will make history this Carnival season as the first African American to reign as King of the Krewe of Bacchus. The organization, which parades on the Sunday night before Fat Tuesday, made the announcement recently.

As the Krewe of Bacchus’ celebrity king, Mackie follows in the footsteps of fellow New Orleanians Harry Connick Jr., Pete Fountain and actor John Larroquette.

Mackie, a graduate of the New Orlean Center for Creative Arts and Warren Easton High School, turned heads in the recent film Captain America: The Winter Soldier, playing the role of the Black superhero, The Falcon. He reprised the role in two other films, Avengers: Age of Vultron and Antman. Mackie’s other film credits include, 8 Mile, Hurt Locker, She Hate Me, Night Catches Us, Million Dollar Baby, Sucka Free City, We Are Marshall, Notorious and Brother to Brother.

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The New Orleans native will again play the role of The Falcon in Captain America: Civil War and will appear in the upcoming film Triple 9 with Kate Winslett and Woody Harrell.

Mackie’s reign as King Bacchus XLVIII during the carnival organization’s parade will take place on Sunday, Feb. 7, which also happens to be Super Bowl Sunday.

“The Krewe of Bacchus has always taken the lead in revolutionizing Mardi Gras,” Bacchus spokesman Clark Brennan said in a Jan. 22 statement. “This year we are pleased to have a Bacchus who is both a nationally recognized star and a New Orleans native.

“Anthony is a local success story and a great representative of the rich art, culture and music talent we have in New Orleans.”

Bacchus, which first paraded in 1969, is perhaps best known for its celebrity monarchs, super sized floats and lavish post-parade parties.

With “The Falcon” presiding over the festivities, the theme for this year’s parade is “Flights of Delight.” The parade will feature 1,430 riders on 31 colossal floats and include entertainment from southern University’s “Human Jukebox,” the Talladega Marching Band and a host of local and out-of-state marching bands.

Anthony Mackie will bring a “hometown love to the King’s throne this year and will not only be celebrating amongst his family and friends during the Mardi Gras weekend, but will be thrilling his ‘Louisiana’ family as well,” Bacchus officials said.

This article originally published in the February 8, 2016 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.