Mark Wahlberg Wiki: 5 Facts To Know About The Acclaimed Actor

Mark Wahlberg is a 46-year-old actor with a knack for achieving fame and fortune. His good looks coupled with his friendly personality make for a man deserving of the success he has received. He began his life on the wrong side of the tracks, frequently facing the police and struggling with drugs. He finally decided he wanted to change his life around, and he began his career in music. Thankfully, his brother Donny did him a favor and let him join his band, The New Kids on the Block. And that's where the real adventure begins. Though he stayed in the band for just a short time, it enabled him to gain attention in his future music career, moving on to Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. With his new band, Wahlberg soared to popularity after the release of "Good Vibrations." Once he began acting, he was an instant hit. Wahlberg is a famed Hollywood actor, who has appeared in more than 40 movies since he began acting in movies in 1994. He only gets better with age, and is the highest paid actor in Hollywood, with a net worth of 225 million dollars. He has had huge movie success, as well as success in a number of different ventures that he has pursued.

Mark Wahlberg was born in Boston, Massachusetts as the youngest of 9 siblings. The family lived in a rough neighborhood and under harsh circumstances. By the age of 13, Mark Wahlberg had developed a drug addiction. By 16, he was facing two years in prison for assault, but wound up serving 45 days. However, he does have a felony on his record for the crime. Since then, Mark Wahlberg has moved on from his dark past. He is a devout Catholic who prays every day, and has forgiven himself for his past crimes. in 2016, Mark Wahlberg was able to personally apologize to the man he assaulted.

There once was a time that Mark Wahlberg was actually known as Marky Mark! After getting out of prison, his brother, a member of the sensational band "New Kids on the Block," let him join his band. Though Mark Wahlberg was only in the band for three months, it launched him into the music industry. He began his rapping career in 1990 with the stage name Marky Mark. His rapping career was very successful. In 1991 at just 20 years old, Marky Mark rose to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with his song "Good Vibrations," which he put out with his group, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. The band was successful for just a few more years, and they disbanded in 1993.

Mark Wahlberg gained attention during his music career because he had a very toned body. I mean, this guy was (and still is) super hot. Calvin Klein noticed in 1992, and added him to their models. Mark Wahlberg ended up being one of the most famous Calvin Klein models of all time. He was featured in their television adds alongside Kate Moss. He has even been photographed by the insanely popular photographer, Annie Leibovitz. His television appearances for Calvin Klein helped him make a natural transition to his acting career.

Mark Wahlberg was a success from the beginning. His first big screen movie was in a movie with Danny DeVito, "Renaissance Man" which was released in 1994. The next year, he was in a movie called "Basketball Diaries," acting with Leondardo DiCaprio. He had his first starring role in 1996 with the movie "Fear." Since his success began, he has made one movie every year for over twenty years, with the exception of 2011. Sometimes it seems like the height of his career hasn't even happened yet. In 1997 he starred in the critically acclaimed "Boogie Nights." The movie takes place in the San Fernando Valley. The movie follows a dishwasher at a nightclub as he rises to fame as a famous pornography star. The film was produced and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, and followed his previous film, "The Dirk Diggler Story." The movie was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor. The movie made 26 million dollars that year. Wahlberg's next big success came in 2001, when he played the starring role in "Planet of the Apes." His character, Leo Davidson, discovers an entire planet run by intelligent apes. The apes enslave the humans, but with the help of an ape named Ari, Leo is able to start a rebellion. Mark Wahlberg did not want to wear a loincloth in the film, even though one had been worn in the original film. He did not want to remind viewers of his Calvin Klein modeling days while they were watching the movie. The movie was the sixth film to come out in the "Planet of the Apes" franchise. The idea for this film began in 1988, and at first, Arnold Schwarzenegger was intended to play the lead role of Leo Davidson. Wahlberg's performance in "Planet of the Apes" was widely celebrated. The movie grossed over 180 million dollars. Wahlberg's next huge success came in 2006 when he starred in "The Departed," directed by Martin Scorsese. He acted in the film alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson. The movie takes place in Boston, Massachusetts. A mob boss sends one of his people undercover in the Massachusetts State Police to be a mole. At the same time, the police send one of their own to go undercover in that mob. "The Departed" grossed over 132 million dollars, and Wahlberg earned 5 million for his role as Staff Sergeant Sean Dignam. For many, this was thought to be the height of his career, but his impressive performances just keep coming. "The Departed" was a standout film for Wahlberg. His Boston roots appeared to help him bring authenticity to his character, despite the fact that he grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, and his character is a police officer.

After "The Departed," 2010 brought another good year to Wahlberg, as he garnered success from his film, "The Fighter". The movie focuses on a boxer named Micky Ward (played by Wahlberg) and his older half-brother Dicky Eckland (played by Christian Bale), who helps to train him in boxing. "The Fighter" grossed over 93 million dollars. Wahlberg wound up co-producing the film, and sacrificed a large pay-cut in order to keep it afloat. It paid off, and the movie was widely recognized. "The Fighter" was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. Christian Bale won the award for Best Supporting Actor, and Melissa Leo won the award for Best Supporting Actress. It was the first time since 1986 that the Best Supporting Actor and Actress role went to people in the same movie. "The Fighter" won Mark Wahlberg even more fame. Wahlberg's next big project came in 2013, with his film "Lone Survivor." Among costars, Ben Foster and Emile Hersch, Wahlberg was the first to sign on to the film. The movie is based on a book of the same name by Marcus Luttrell. It tells the true story of an unsuccessful Navy SEAL mission, in which only one soldier (Marcus Luttrell) survives. "Lone Survivor" was so successful because it was so authentic. It was so authentic because it had a number of experts aiding in production including veterans and branches of the United States Armed Forces. "Lone Survivor" grossed 125 million dollars, and received two Academy Award nominations for Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing. 2014 was another big year for Wahlberg. The hits just keep coming! "Transformers: Age of Extinction," received negative reviews, but grossed over 1 billion dollars! It was the 16th-highest-grossing film of all time. "Transformers: Age of Extinction" is a huge reason Wahlberg's net worth is so large. After "Transformers: Age of Extinction," came "Transformers: The Last Knight." In this movie, Mark Wahlberg played the same character that he did in the previous movie. He was a single father and inventor, who helped the Autobots named Cade Yeager. "Transformers: The Last Knight" did not gross as much as the 2014 "Transformers: Age of Extinction," making only 69 million.

In 2015, "Daddy's Home" was a released. A film about a father, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg), and step-father, Brad (Will Ferrell), butting heads, it was widely enjoyed. The film grossed 242 million dollars worldwide, making it Will Ferrell's highest-grossing film. On November 10th of this year, "Daddy's Home 2" was released. It is a Christmas movie, again starring Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell. This time, the men are butting heads with their fathers visiting for the holidays.

Despite all of his success, and excitement around "Daddy's Home 2," Mark Wahlberg is still able to maintain a happy family life with his wife and four children. In 2009, he married Rhea Durham, a model who has been featured on the cover of French Vogue and walked the 2000 and 2001 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. The pair have four children together: Ella Rae, Grace Margaret, Brendan Joseph, and Michael. Despite having 9 siblings, 4 children must be a handful! He and his wife make it look easy. They are very loving to their children. Mark Wahlberg and his wife are devout Catholics, and Mark Wahlberg attends daily mass. Mark Wahlberg was scheduled to be on one of the planes that crashed into the trade center on September 11th, 2001. However, the day before, he made a change in travel plans and avoided the flight. He expressed this blessing and luck that he received.

Hit after hit, year after year, Mark Wahlberg has made it to the top. In "The Fighter," "Lone Survivor," "Planet of the Apes," and "Daddy's Home 2," Mark Wahlberg has earned his way to the throne. His current net worth is 225 million dollars, and he earned 68 million dollars in this year alone. His wife really has a catch, as he has aged like a fine wine, too! Not only does Mark Wahlberg act, but he also pursues a number of other ventures. He has a restaurant franchise that he owns with his brothers called, Wahlburgers. In 2013, he became an equity partner for a cricket team! He was introduced to the sport by his colleague Ajmal Khan.

Mark Wahlberg's brother, Donnie Wahlberg, has a net worth of 20 million. He was the founding member of the hit band, New Kids on the Block, and has continued a career in music and acting.

As presented, Mark Wahlberg's career has been one big adventure. From his humble beginnings to the height of his fame, Mark Wahlberg has truly captured the hearts of fans everywhere. His dedication to his acting is only exceeded by his dedication for his family. For Mark Wahlberg, family must come first.