Mark Wahlberg, who became known to audiences around the country through his roles with New Kids on the Block and later with Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch rap group. Born in Massachusetts (USA), in 1971, Mark Wahlberg was the youngest of nine children. He was of Swedish and French-Canadian descent, with English, Irish and Scottish ancestry on his mother’s side.
The large Wahlberg family didn’t have much to offer growing up in the poor working class area of Dorchester, Boston. After their parents divorced when Mark was eleven, the family crammed into a three-bedroom apartment.
From Rapper to Leading Man
Mark Wahlberg has quickly established himself as one of Hollywood's premier actors, working with iconic directors such as Martin Scorsese and Peter Berg, as well as appearing in action films and comedies alike. Over his career he has received multiple awards and nominations; most notably being named one of the world's highest-paid actors in 2017.
Born June 5, 1971 in Dorchester, a poor neighborhood of Boston. He was one of nine siblings; his mother struggled to make ends meet while trying to provide for all nine of her offspring. His father was of Swedish and Irish heritage while her mother shared French-Canadian, English, and Scottish roots with both.
At 13, Marky Mark decided to leave school and turn his attention toward drugs and criminality. By 17, he had been arrested for assault and served 45 days in jail before making a commitment to change. Inspired by Donnie, who played in early '90s boy band New Kids on the Block, he embarked on his journey of transformation.
Marky Mark made his breakthrough in 1994 when he appeared as an army recruit in Penny Marshall's Renaissance Man. Since then he has appeared in films like Ted, Date Night and The Italian Job before starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson in 2006's critically and commercially successful drama film The Departed; garnering both awards and nominations with this role.
In the early 2000s, Wahlberg made the shift away from music to acting and abandoned his singing career altogether. In 2004, he appeared in the biographical sports drama film The Fighter>> which became another smash hit and earned him two Golden Globe nominations (Best Actor at both Golden Globes and Academy Award nomination). To prepare himself for this role, he trained for four years in a boxing ring prior to starting filming on set.
Personal Details: He is married to Rhea Durham and they share four children together. He often emphasizes the value of family time together. In spite of an earlier troubled past, he's proven himself an exceptional source of guidance and influence on those closest to him.
Movies
Wahlberg was raised in a broken family in Dorchester, Boston. By age 16, he had found himself living in an increasingly dangerous neighborhood stealing cars and dealing drugs; at 17 he even served time for assault before his brother Donnie joined New Kids on the Block to help turn things around by getting him involved with music business.
Wahlberg has enjoyed an expansive movie career that encompasses multiple genres. Although he is most commonly associated with action and comedy roles, he has shown his acting chops in such dramas as Three Kings (1999) and The Perfect Storm (2000). Furthermore, some of the industry's premier directors like Martin Scorsese in Boogie Nights (1997) and Ridley Scott in Blade Runner (2024) have given him opportunities.
One of his greatest roles came in 2010's The Fighter, following boxer Micky Ward as he seeks a championship title while reconciling with his dysfunctional family. This film received critical acclaim and earned Wahlberg an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor; his performance here proved pivotal to his career success.
Recent years have seen this actor appearing in various films and TV shows. Working alongside director Peter Berg on dramas like Deepwater Horizon (2011) and Patriots Day (2015) as well as comedy movies like Ted (2012) and its 2015 sequel; as well as appearing in thriller Mile 22 (2018) and family dramedy Instant Family (2018) as lead roles.
As with his other movies, these productions showcase Wahlberg's versatility and commitment to his roles. Each time, the actor brings an authentic sense of his characters to the screen - this is especially evident in his most recent works: in one, he plays a Navy SEAL whose mission in Afghanistan goes awry and becomes an underdog hero with strong supporting cast; while in another, he portrays a man forced to adopt three siblings whom his chemistry with is palpable on-screen.
TV Shows
Mark Wahlberg is best-known for his big screen roles, but he's also earned praise as an iconic TV actor. He starred on multiple series such as Entourage and Boardwalk Empire for HBO, in addition to acting and producing numerous films.
His debut role as an actor came in 1994's Renaissance Man, using the stage name Marky Mark. Despite a troubled background, he proved a charismatic actor with strong work ethics who underwent rigorous physical training for certain of his roles.
Once earning accolades for his performance in Renaissance Man, Mark Wahlberg went on to star in several movies and TV shows, earning an Academy Award nomination for Martin Scorsese's The Departed as well as film roles such as Boogie Nights, The Italian Job and Ted. Furthermore, Wahlberg also produced numerous movies and shows during this timeframe.
He's been featured on many talk shows and offers fitness products under his own label. Additionally, he's been an enthusiastic advocate for various charities, raising funds for many causes he believes in. Additionally, he co-owns Wahlburgers restaurant chain.
Wahlberg was an integral member of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch during its peak years in the 1990s, and their debut album was an immense hit with audiences and critics alike. Unfortunately, however, their success was short lived as Marky Mark ran into serious legal troubles which eventually derailed their success altogether.
A videotape released by rapper Shabba Ranks who suggested homosexuals should be crucified caused a storm of controversy, leading to their popularity to decline sharply and eventually disbandment of the group.
Wahlberg hails from Boston and often portrays it in his acting career. Additionally, he's a passionate supporter of the New England Patriots; even narrating a documentary on them! Wahlberg enjoys golf and has his own line of workout gear; furthermore he is known for being an active philanthropist donating millions to various causes over his lifetime.
Music
Mark Wahlberg continues to serve as a unifying figure on screen in an age when America is divided over everything from politics to race, appearing alongside Rose Byrne in Instant Family as a couple adopting three foster care children from foster care. Wahlberg has produced multiple shows like Oscar-nominated drama In Treatment and the hit TV show Entourage while becoming well known through big-screen roles such as Boogie Nights, The Departed, and Patriots Day.
But Wahlberg first gained notoriety as an artist through music; first as a rapper and Calvin Klein model before ever making films. Raised in Dorchester's working-class neighborhood, his childhood was chaotic; by age 16, he had violated racial harassment laws and assaulted a Vietnamese man for which he served 45 days in jail.
Donnie helped Mark advance his career with the 1980s boy band New Kids on the Block, while Mark preferred rap music instead. Donnie utilized his connections to secure Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch a record deal; and so began their success story. While their debut album Music for the People proved moderately successful, Good Vibrations catapulted them to stardom and cemented their place in pop culture history.
The song was catchy and its music video featured Wahlberg dancing sexily in his boxers. Though his rapping was subpar at best, he had enough charm and stage presence to appeal to teenage girls and was quickly discovered as a Calvin Klein model.
Wahlberg may no longer be performing music, but he remains active as a producer on television and film. Most recently he starred in Mile 22 with Tom Cruise before planning for release of Invincible next year. Additionally he serves as brand ambassador for Tequila brand as well as appearing in several commercials for them.
Post a Comment