Mark Wahlberg Success Story

His addiction turned into violence, and by the time he was eighteen years old, Wahlberg estimated that he'd been pursued by the city's police department over twenty times. His behavior culminated in a vicious attack on a local man, who was left blinded in one eye after Wahlberg attacked him in a desperate search for drug money. The beating landed him a two-year sentence in a local prison.

Career

Prison was a turning point for Wahlberg. With three brothers serving time for various crimes and a limited future in south Boston, he decided that it was time to change his ways. His sentence, which was originally two years long, had been reduced to forty-five days, and in his time away from the rest of society, Wahlberg weaned himself off drugs and made efforts to improve his life.

With focus and a clean lifestyle came early successes. Wahlberg was cast in a series of underwear commercials, capitalizing on his muscular physique and mysterious nature. He started a band and became a hit singer, earning his former 'Marky Mark' title. While he was never a superstar, his new found fame and success earned him a source of income, and paved the way for future opportunities.

"I've always wanted to do right in life. But the wanting and the doing aren't quite the same thing"-Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg

Seeking a larger career, Wahlberg dropped his Marky Mark moniker and began to reinvent himself as a serious actor. Some small roles throughout the nineties lead to bigger parts in The Italian Job, Boogie Nights, and The Perfect Storm. His career hits a new high when his performance in I Love Huckabees won praise from critics and audiences alike, cementing him as a new acting star.

Mark Wahlberg with Dwayne Johnson

Later in his career, he had a chance to revisit his youth from a new perspective, playing a leading role in Martin Scorsese's acclaimed film The Departed, which was set in his hometown of Boston. Earning him an Academy Award nomination, the film was one of the year's most successful, and made its cast some of the most respected actors of their generation.

If Mark Wahlberg's career demonstrates anything, it's that there's a great deal of opportunity waiting out there for those that are willing to search for it, no matter their background or upbringing. With a slate of convictions in his late teens and a month spent in prison, Wahlberg broke through the crime that surrounded him and made himself a successful person. That is something that demands true respect.

Mark Wahlberg's Conversation with Kids