Mark Wahlberg may have gotten his start as a teen heartthrob hip-hop performer, but he solidified his place in the acting hall of fame thanks to these spectacular performances. Wahlberg could be funny, scary or anything in between in the wide range of roles he’s accepted during his career. Whether he’s making award-winning dramas or low-brow comedies, you’re always in for a treat when his name is in the credits. Viewers never get tired of hearing that Boston accent when he comes on the screen.
Swipe ahead for the greatest Mark Wahlberg performances.
Mark Wahlberg takes a movie about a talking teddy bear and somehow keeps it grounded in the real world through the power of a thick Boston accent and the voice of Family Guy's Seth McFarlane as a co-star. Ted might not be Wahlberg’s most critically acclaimed movie, but it’s certainly one of his funniest. Audiences seemed to agree, Ted grossed over half a billion dollars and spawned a sequel.
Photography: Universal Pictures
David O. Russell’s The Fighter is one of Mark Wahlberg’s most powerful performances. It’s an underdog story about the fight for respect and the long, winding road to uncertain success. Wahlberg’s brilliant portrayal is supported by a tremendous performance from Christian Bale who plays his trainer and half-brother.
Photography: Paramount Pictures
Fear is a tense, steamy thriller that still holds up to this day thanks to a haunting performance from Mark Wahlberg. If you’ve ever been worried about the kind of guy your teenage daughter might bring home, this movie might be too scary for you. In addition to doing numbers at the box office, it also drove tons of fans to ride roller coasters.
Photography: Universal Pictures
The Other Guys executes the buddy cop genre perfectly thanks to the undeniable chemistry between Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. Director Adam McKay balances Will Ferrell’s lovable doofus energy with Mark Wahlberg’s brick wall intensity for a laugh out loud comedy that will make you waive your right to remain silent.
Photography: Sony Pictures
Boogie Nights isn’t just one of Mark Wahlberg’s best films, it’s considered one of the greatest movies of all time. Wahlberg’s gripping performance takes you on an emotional rollercoaster through the highs and lows of the adult film industry during the 70’s and 80’s. This is the movie that let the world know Mark Wahlberg’s a star.
Photography: New Line Cinema
Three Kings blends a cutting satire of the United States' international war policy with a heist story that has a big heart at the center. It takes viewers back to the 90’s when Americans supported the troops even if they didn’t totally understand what they were doing. Wahlberg is joined by a tremendous cast of co-stars including George Clooney and Ice Cube.
Photography: Warner Bros.
When you combine Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington, the only possible outcome is movie magic. 2 Guns is a perfect popcorn flick that offers as much action as you can handle. It has twists, turns and no shortage of memorable moments that will leave your heart racing.
Photography: Universal Pictures
The Italian Job might be a remake, but it stands on its own four tires as a modern classic in the heist genre. Wahlberg is accompanied on this wild ride by heavyweights of the silver screen including Charlize Theron, Seth Green, Jason Statham and Mos Def. The film’s non-stop action still finds room for Wahlberg to bring depth and humanity to his character.
Photography: Paramount Pictures
The movie that finally earned Martin Scorsese his Academy Award for Best Director never disappoints no matter how many times you watch it. Wahlberg shares the screen with titans of cinema including Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Sheen. The Departed is a perfect police movie, mob movie and Boston movie all in one glorious package.
Photography: Warner Bros. Pictures