Elke Hinrichsen

Wahlberg, who had a troubled childhood, grew up in a family of nine children. Mark, who dropped out of school at 16, committed various petty crimes. After working a few odd jobs, he joined the music group New Kids on the Block with his older brother Donnie Wahlberg. After the group's fame waned, Wahlberg formed his own group, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. His fame solidified after Calvin Klein underwear commercials, leading him to acting. In 1993, he starred in Hal Hartley's *The Substitute*, which, while not a critical or box office success, led to a role in *Renaissance Man* with Danny DeVito. He appeared in the 1995 film *The Basketball Diaries*, playing Leonardo DiCaprio's drug-addicted friend, followed by a role in *Fear* a year later. His breakthrough came with Paul Thomas Anderson's *Boogie Nights*, establishing him as a serious actor. *Three Kings*, alongside George Clooney, further cemented his promising future. Later, he starred as Max Payne in the film adaptation of the popular video game, boosting his career even higher. His performances in *The Departed* and *The Fighter* earned him Oscar nominations.