Mark Wahlberg, asinger turned actor, has made quite the name for himself over the years. His best filmography covers many genres from comedies likeTedto thrillers likeThe Departed,the latter for which he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role.
Earlier this year, Wahlberg starred in a film based on a popular video game calledUncharted, whichgrossed over $400 millionat the box office despite receiving mixed reviews from critics and fans. His most recent film was abiopic calledFather Stu, which followed the real-life story of a boxer turned priest. While his role inThe Departedis arguably the best performance of his career, let’s take a closer look at the action films the actor has starred in throughout the years.
7Three Kings
The 1999 action-adventureThree Kingsfollows a small group of American soldiers who set out to steal gold that was already stolen from Kuwait. It’s in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War that these soldiers attempt to steal this gold for themselves. Additionally, it’s only when they get to the site that they find out Iraqi army is more interested in persecuting its citizens rather than protecting the gold. While there, the soldiers have to decide whether to go through with their original plan or to help the citizens, who have been persuaded by the US government to fight back against the Iraqi army, despite not offering any assistance to do so. Wahlberg plays one of these soldiers, Troy Barlow.
Related:Best Mark Wahlberg Movies, Ranked
6The Italian Job
In this action-crime thriller, Wahlberg plays Charlie Croker, one of the leaders of a group who plan to steal $35 million in gold bars from a safe in Venice, Italy.The Italian Jobfollows the heist and its success, which ultimately leads to jealousy and betrayal by one of the team members. For the team, the original heist was the easy part — it’s enacting their revenge that proves to be the hardest. After Steve,played by Edward Norton, betrays the team, it’s Charlie who helps the survivors of the original heist enact their revenge. Their revenge heist takes them through LA both on the streets and under them, in the subways.
InShooter, Wahlberg plays a marksman who has been living in exile. After hearing about a plot to kill the President, Bob Lee Swagger (Wahlberg) comes out of exile to help protect the President. He is double-crossed, though, and must hunt down the real killer and reveal the truth to clear his name. Bob was a top Marine sniper who had since left the military after being hungout to dry in a secret Ethiopian mission. This mission comes back to haunt him when he is framed for the assassination and wounded in the process. It’s up to him to find out the truth of everything that happened.
4Deepwater Horizon
Deepwater Horizonis an action biopic about the worst oil spill in American history. In April 2010, perPeople, the offshore rig called Deepwater Horizon exploded, thus contaminating parts of the Gulf of Mexico. When business executives were frustrated with how long the build is taking on the rig, they pushed for less than standard procedures to speed up.
Wahlberg plays Mike Williams in the film, a heroic man who is full of leadership, wisdom, and strength. He is one of two who tried to protest the executives' decisions by stressing that the safety of the rig and those on it have become compromised. This ultimately happened and lasted 87 days. The film covers the heroic events of Williams and Jimmy Harrell (Kurt Russell) as they try to save everyone.
Related:These Are Some Inspiring Movies Based on a True Story
3Lone Survivor
Arguably one of the most well-known American war heroes was Marcus Luttrell, the lone survivor of a 2005 mission. Wahlberg plays Luttrell, who was part of a team of Navy SEALs who were dispatched to capture or kill Taliban leader Ahmad Shah. The events took place in June 2005, and what seemed like a simple mission turned into a fight for the Seals' lives.
Lone Survivorfollows the story of this mission and the events that left Lutrell the lone survivor of his team. After the team of four seals crossed paths with goat herders whom they ultimately had to let go, the Seals must trek through the mountains to evade capture all the while being picked off one by one by Taliban forces.
2The Fighter
The Fighteris an action biopic about Micky Ward, a boxer from Lowell, Massachusetts. Micky, played by Wahlberg, is the younger half-brother of Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale), the “Pride of Lowell” who once was a great boxer. An HBO film crew has come to town to watch Micky go for the world light welterweight title under the direction of his brother Dicky, who is one hit away from being taken out by his drug addiction.
The Fighterincludes not only great acting from both leading actors, but also a moving story about how life can change, how family’s influence may not be the best, and how cruel media can be. The HBO film crew is seemingly there to showcase Dicky’s comeback as he trains his brother, however, it turns out to be about “Crack in America” and features Dicky in a bad light. From family fallouts to redemption, this film is both touching and rough.
1Patriots Day
Patriots Dayis another film that is based on a true story. In this case, the story is based on a sad day in American history — the bombing of the2013 Boston Marathon. Wahlberg plays Police Sgt. Tommy Saunders, and gives us his point of view of the day’s events. As a member of the Boston police, he joins forces with the FBI to track down those involved in the bombing. Viewers of this film have praisedPatriots Day’s respectable account of the terrible event. The film not only shows the event as it happened, but also a look into apprehending the assailants. Wahlberg’s character is based on several police officers' experiences all molded into one, who shows us from start to finish what happened.
