Born in June 1971 Mark Wahlberg was raised as part of a large family in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Mark was the youngest member of his family.

In 1984, after losing New Edition, Maurice Starr recruited Mark and his older brother Donnie to join a new group that he was forming. This group would become the New Kids on the Block, the group that would lead the boy-band phenomenon of the 1990’s. While Donnie was keen about being in the group Mark was not so keen. Mark preferred spending his summer evenings being a teenager rather than in group rehearsals. Within three months of joining Mark decided to quit. While Donnie was disappointed with his brother’s decision, he accepted Mark’s choice and respected him for it.

While New Kids on the Block careered on to mega-stardom, Mark careered onto a life of crime. Mark spent much of his teenage years appearing before magistrates and judges while his brother was touring around the world. When Mark went to jail for committing an assault Donnie promised to work with him on a rap album when he was released. Donnie stuck by his promise, and helped Mark form the group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. Donnie produced their debut album "Music For The People" which went onto become a number one seller on the U.S. Billboard Charts. The first single "Good Vibrations" was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 1991. Mark was now a celebrity. The single "Good Vibrations" would be used as the theme tune for the film "The Mighty Ducks" and for Calvin Klein advertisements which featured Mark as a model.

In 1993 Mark turned towards acting and accepted a small role in "The Substitute". This film went straight to video. Despite its lack of success Mark was then offered a part in the movie "The Renaissance Man" (1994), starring Danny Devito. From this, Mark went on to star in "The Basketball Diaries" with Leonardo Di Caprio (1995) and to head the cast in the film "Fear" (1996). But it was Mark's role in the movie "Boogie Nights" (1997) that would seal Mark's role to actor status. In this movie Mark plays a pornography star, Dirk Diggler. The movie received rave reviews and was a huge transatlantic success. Since "Boogie Nights" Mark has gone on to star in movie hits such as "The Perfect Storm" and "The Three Kings". Mark is now in demand and have even had to turn down some good offers due to his commitments on other acting projects.

His last project include The Italian Job (2003), Four Brothers (2005), The Departed (2006) and Shooter (2007).

Wahlberg and longtime girlfriend actress/model Rhea Durham have two children together. The couple’s first child, a daughter named Ella Rae, was born on September 2, 2003. Their son, Michael, joined the family on March 22, 2006.

Filmography

• The Brazilian Job (2009)
• The Fighter (2009)
• The Happening (2008)
• We Own the Night (2007)
• Shooter (2007)
• The Departed (2006)
• Invincible (2006)
• Four Brothers (2005)
• I Heart Huckabees (2004)
• The Italian Job (2003)
• The Truth About Charlie (2002)
• Rock Star (2001)
• Planet of the Apes (2001)
• The Perfect Storm (2000)
• The Yards (2000)
• Three Kings (1999)
• The Corruptor (1999)
• The Big Hit (1998)
• Boogie Nights (1997)
• Traveller (1997)
• Fear (1996)
• The Basketball Diaries (1995)
• Renaissance Man (1994)
• The Substitute (1993)

Awards

• National Society of Film Critics Best Supporting Actor "The Departed" 2007
• Boston Society of Film Critics Best Supporting Actor "The Departed" 2006
• National Board of Review Best Acting by an Ensemble "The Departed" 2006