Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg, known professionally as Mark Wahlberg, is an American actor and former rapper. Born on June 5, 1971, in Boston, Massachusetts, he rose to fame as a member of the rap group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch and later became a successful actor in Hollywood. Here is a timeline of his significant life events and milestones.
Main Milestones
Birth
June 5, 1971
Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg was born in Boston, Massachusetts, as the youngest of nine children in a working-class family.
Dropped Out of High School
Age 14
Wahlberg dropped out of high school and led a troubled life, engaging in stealing, drug dealing, substance abuse, and violence.
Conviction and Prison Sentence
Age 16
Wahlberg was convicted of assault and sentenced to prison, serving 45 days before his release.
Music Career Begins
1990
Wahlberg formed the rap group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, with his debut album "Music for the People" (1991) achieving modest success and producing two hit singles, “Good Vibrations” and “Wildside.”
Acting Career Begins
1994
Wahlberg made his film debut with a small part in the comedy "Renaissance Man" (1994), marking the beginning of his acting career.
Breakout Role
1997
Wahlberg starred as troubled porn star Dirk Diggler in Paul Thomas Anderson’s "Boogie Nights" (1997), a role that significantly boosted his acting career.
Producing Career
2004
Wahlberg began producing films and TV shows, notably the hit cable TV series "Entourage" (2004–11) and the acclaimed morality tale "Boardwalk Empire" (2010–14).
Academy Award Nomination
2006
Wahlberg earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Martin Scorsese’s crime drama "The Departed" (2006).
Continued Success
2010s
Wahlberg continued to star in a variety of films, including "The Fighter" (2010), "Ted" (2012), "Lone Survivor" (2013), and "Transformers: Age of Extinction" (2014), solidifying his status as a versatile actor.
Recent Projects
2020s
Wahlberg appeared in films such as "Spenser Confidential" (2020), "Joe Bell" (2020), "Infinite" (2021), and "Uncharted" (2022), showcasing his ongoing commitment to diverse roles.
