15 Questions With: Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg's 'The Happening' role -- as a sensitive and scared hubby -- may seem uncharacteristic for the former rapper, better known for regularly dropping trou (on screen, on billboards ...). But when we caught up with him, the ex-con with the hardscrabble childhood admitted to crying in movies, devotion to family and ... engaging in a farting contest with Donald Sutherland. Maybe Marky Mark's still in there somewhere. -- By Aimee Deeken
Avik Gilboa/WireImage.com
1. What intrigued you about 'The Happening'?
I always take seriously whether or not I'm going to make a film -- weigh all the ups and the downs -- and there was really no downside to making this movie. I've been a big fan of [director M.] Night [Shyamalan]. I think he wrote an incredible screenplay, and I got to play a part that I don't get to play that often.
Everett Collection
2. Is M. Night Shyamalan as mysterious as his movies?
Um ... he can be. But he's a sweet, sweet man. He just has this other sick twisted side that gets off on freaking people out.
Anita Bugge/WireImage.com
3. The film's pretty gruesome. Do you think audiences should be warned?
Nah, they can handle it. But yeah, I didn't think I'd be affected by it because obviously I knew everything that was going to happen, and I was still ... He rocked me!
Everett Collection
4. What is it about all these recent apocalyptic movies that fascinates audiences so much?
It's all the stuff that's going on in the world and the environment. There is evidence pointing to the possibility of these things [in the movie] happening. We must have respect for all the laws of nature. It's just like anything else: You don't take care of your teeth, your teeth are going to take care of you. People need to start taking responsibility. We've been given this beautiful gift by God and we need to cherish it and protect it.
20th Century Fox
5. You and Zooey Deschanel play a married couple who are looking after a little girl. Did you think about your fiancée, Rhea Durham, and your own two children while you were filming this?
I think about them every second of the day. And I always draw on all my real-life experiences and my real-life situation. That's all I got!
Bob Riha Jr/WireImage.com
6. You've mostly played tough guys in the past. Do you think this movie shows your softer side?
Definitely. It's nice to let down the guard and that tough exterior. That was part of the appeal of the role.
Everett Collection
7. Have you ever cried at a movie?
Oh my god, are you kidding? I cry so easily it's ridiculous. S***, I cried at 'The Happening' -- when John [Leguizamo] had to say goodbye to his daughter! Because I can't help but think, Wow, what if that really happened to somebody.
20th Century Fox
8. At what point in your career do you think people stopped thinking of you as a former rapper and started considering you as a serious actor?
I think it may have been different for different folks. 'The Basketball Diaries' kind of opened the door for me, and then 'Boogie Nights' certainly gave me a lot more credibility as an actor. But it's been a slow progression.
Everett Collection
9. Does it bother you when people call you Marky Mark?
Well, some people recognize me from certain movies, some recognize me from [Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch]. You know, it is what it is. But it seems like a lifetime ago.
Barry King, WireImage.com
Reader Comments (10)
Josie at 12:47PM on Jun 13th 2008
Mark will always be Marky Mark to me. He is soooo hot and sexy. He is a great actor and I never miss a chance to see him,,, Good Luck Marky!!!
missymartini425 at 1:46PM on Jun 13th 2008
I THINK MARK HAS COME ALONG WAY SINCE THE MARKY MARK.
HE'S PROVED HE HAS IT ALL IN TALENT & IN BRAINS.
HE'S ALSO COME TO A GOOD POINT IN HIS LIFE GETTING HIS ACT TOGETHER SINCE HE WAS A JUVENILE AND HAS GROWN UP TO BE VERY WELL RESPECTED & LOVED.
Tricia at 6:00PM on Jun 13th 2008
Once a Dot Rat always a Dot Rat! Right, Mark?
arnold caceres at 7:47PM on Jun 13th 2008
the happening is the worst movie around the world i do not why mark w.is making that king of worst movie,really is worst the new name of the movie is "nothing happening" do not go to the theathers to see that movie trash,ok
charlie at 8:45PM on Jun 13th 2008
mark do you like guys to ? answer, yes i like a big rod too! lol
Chris at 11:57AM on Jun 15th 2008
The Happening just like The Lady In The Water was as good as the commercials were and that was it!!!
Please people please please please don't waste your movie money on this one.
As a matter of fact for those of you that have other ways of seeing movies it's not even worth a bootleg.
This movie title should've been called "What's Happening" because it made absolutely no sense to the very end of the movie.
This by far is just another bad movie.
Really, they should just revoke M. Knight Shaymalan's director's license because this was just horrible.
If you want to end a bad date, and a bad evening this is the movie that will just top it all.
Oh yeah was John Leguizamo in this movie? I didn't think it was a starring role.
And Mark...What were you thinking? You've made better bad films than this.
Genea at 7:13PM on Jun 15th 2008
Mark Wahlberg is my FAVORITE actor. I got to meet him once by accident and he was a sweetheart! He is one of Hollywood's best without ruining his life and getting caught up in it all. I liked "The Happening" but I like everything he does. He will be around on film for a long time since he is so talented! Keep up the great work Mark, we are so proud of you here in Massachusetts! G.
Danielle at 11:51PM on Jun 16th 2008
Don't care- is there any age this man DOES NOT look good at? DAMN! The only thing I saw him in that kind of weirded me out about his looks was Four Brothers- but even then you could appreciate the work he put into becoming Bobby. I want a Mark Wahlberg for myself. HURRY UP WITH THE DAMN CLONING WILL YA??!!!
Judy at 2:17AM on Jun 18th 2008
I love, love, love Mark Wahlberg! I live south of Boston, and know that he came from Dorchester or something. I was thinking about that when I saw The Departed with Matt Damon, who used to reside in South Boston. It couldn't have been hard for them to slide right back into the Boston accents. Actually, Leonardo Di Caprio did not do bad for coming across as a true Bostonian, which he is not. I remember when Mark was kind of between Marky Mark, the rapper and Mark Wahlberg, the actor. He did a Calvin Klein underwear ad, and it was on many billboards across America. Yeah, I loved those buns so much!!! I loved Mark in The Perfect Storm, Fear and The Departed, just to name a few. I also loved him in Rock Star and Boogie Nights. There is no end to what good movies this man continues to put out!!!
julie at 2:15PM on Nov 20th 2008
I absolutely adore Mark--- he is like a fine wine, BETTER W/ AGE!! he is going nowhere but up from his Marky Mark days:)