June 5- Mark Wahlberg -formerly known as rapper Marky Mark – is 42-years-old today.

-----

Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg was born in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, the youngest of nine children. In his youth, he was in trouble 20–25 times with the Boston Police Department, and by age 13, Wahlberg had developed an addiction to cocaine and other substances.

In a 2009 interview Wahlberg said, “Everything I did wrong was my own fault. I was taught the difference between right and wrong at an early age. I take full responsibility."

Wahlberg first came to fame as the younger brother of Donnie Wahlberg of the successful 1980s and 1990s boy band New Kids on the Block. Mark, at age thirteen, had been one of the group's original members, but soon quit. He was replaced by Joe McIntyre as the fifth member of the group.

Wahlberg began recording as Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, earning a hit with "Good Vibrations" from the album Music for the People. The record was produced by brother Donnie and later hit No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100, later becoming certified as a platinum single. The second single, "Wildside", peaked at No. 5 on Billboards Hot Singles Sales chart and at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified as a gold single.

Marky Mark opened for the New Kids on the Block during their last tour. The second Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch LP, You Gotta Believe, was not as successful as the previous one, and had a minor hit single; the title track.

Wahlberg later collaborated with the late reggae/ragga singer Prince Ital Joe on the album Life in the Streets. The project combined rap and ragga vocals with strong Euro-dance music -as in the singles "Happy People,"  "United," "Life in the Streets," and "Babylon." He was also featured in the Black Label Society music video for "Counterfeit God," as a stand-in for the band's bassist.

Wahlberg is well known for his roles in films such as Fear in 1996, followed by Boogie Nights, Three Kings, The Perfect Storm, Planet of the Apes, Rock Star, The Italian Job, I Heart Huckabees, Four Brothers, The Departed, Invincible, Shooter, Max Payne, The Lovely Bones, The Fighter, Date Night, Ted, Pain & Gain and Transformers 4 scheduled for release in 2014. 

He has also served as the executive producer of the TV series Entourage, Boardwalk Empire, and How to Make It in America.

Wahlberg established the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation in May 2001 for the purpose of raising and distributing funds to youth service and enrichment programs. Wahlberg is also active with The Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children.

####