Introducing Mark Wahlberg: Actor, Producer, Businessman
Mark Wahlberg
| Full Name | Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg |
|---|---|
| Age | 52 |
| Birthday | June 5, 1971 |
| Born | United States |
| Relationship | Married |
| Height | 5‘ 8" |
| Net Worth | $300 million |
| @markwahlberg | |
| @mark_wahlberg | |
| Mark Wahlberg |
Actor, rapper, businessman Mark Wahlberg has won many awards and acclaim.
Background and Early Career
Mark Wahlberg was born on June 5, 1971 in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. He was the youngest of nine children in a working-class Irish Catholic family. As a teen, Wahlberg fell in with the wrong crowd and had frequent run-ins with the law, even serving 45 days in prison for assault. However, he turned his life around after his release.
Wahlberg got into music and joined his brother Donnie in the funk-pop group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. Their 1991 debut album Music For the People went platinum thanks to the hit single "Good Vibrations."
The rapper transitioned into acting in the early 1990s, making his debut in the TV movie The Substitute. His breakout role came in 1997‘s Boogie Nights, where he played porn star Dirk Diggler. Wahlberg received rave reviews for his intense performance showcasing his dramatic talents.
Rise to Leading Man Stardom
In the 2000s, Wahlberg established himself as a versatile leading man and bona fide movie star. He showed his action chops in films like The Perfect Storm (2000), shooter drama Four Brothers (2005), and video game adaptation Max Payne (2008). Wahlberg also proved himself a deft comedic actor with roles in hits like I Heart Huckabees (2004) and The Other Guys (2010).
His most acclaimed performance came in Martin Scorsese‘s 2006 crime drama The Departed. Co-starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson, the film earned Wahlberg his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and won Best Picture.
Wahlberg continues to take on diverse film projects, starring in dramas (The Fighter, Deepwater Horizon), comedies (Ted, Daddy‘s Home), and big-budget action flicks (Transformers: Age of Extinction, Mile 22). He often collaborates with directors like David O. Russell and Peter Berg. Some of his most popular films include:
- Planet of the Apes (2001)
- The Italian Job (2003)
- The Departed (2006)
- The Fighter (2010)
- Ted (2012)
- Lone Survivor (2013)
- Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
- Patriots Day (2016)
- Spenser Confidential (2020)
Producer and Businessman
In addition to acting, Wahlberg has established himself as a successful producer. He was an executive producer on the hit HBO series Entourage, loosely based on his own experiences in Hollywood.
Through his production company Closest to the Hole Productions, he‘s produced or executive produced films including The Fighter, Contraband, and Patriots Day.
Wahlberg also co-owns the Wahlburgers chain of restaurants and has invested in brands like Aquahydrate alkaline water. In 2016, he launched his own reality show called Wahlburgers documenting the family burger business.
And in 2017, Wahlberg started Unrealistic Ideas, a production company focused on making documentaries and educational content like the Netflix docu-series Wahl Street.
Personal Life
Wahlberg married model Rhea Durham in 2009, and they have four children together. The family resides in Beverly Hills.
Though he had some run-ins with the law as a youth, Wahlberg has put his troubled past behind him. He is now actively involved in charity work, especially raising money for disadvantaged youth through the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation.
Why Mark Wahlberg Is So Popular
There are many reasons Mark Wahlberg has become one of Hollywood‘s most popular and highest-paid stars:
- His genuine acting talent, able to take on diverse roles in action flicks, comedies, and dramas
- He‘s proven himself a smart producer, making investments in successful TV and film projects
- He seamlessly reinvented himself from a rapper to respectable actor and businessman
- He remains down-to-earth and committed to his Boston roots and Catholic faith
- His criminal past makes his turnaround story inspirational
- He takes on entertaining projects and creates plenty of buzzworthy moments
- His social media provides an engaging behind-the-scenes look at his life and work
Fun Facts About Mark Wahlberg
- Reportedly wakes up at 2:30am every day and works out
- Has at least 11 tattoos on his upper body
- Nominated for 2 Oscars and 5 Golden Globes
- Worth approximately $300 million
- His siblings include Donnie Wahlberg from New Kids on the Block
- Known for his intense workout regimen and buff physique
- Stars in three of the top 50 highest-grossing R-rated movies (The Departed, Ted, Lone Survivor)
Whether you know him as Marky Mark, the foul-mouthed teddy bear‘s co-star, or the working-class boxer Micky Ward, it‘s clear Mark Wahlberg is one of the most compelling stars in Hollywood. After more than 30 years in the spotlight, the Boston native continues to choose interesting projects and display his acting range. His loyal fans can‘t wait to see what he does next.