From Dirk Diggler to Deacon, Mark Wahlberg has played everything.
The ‘Boogie Nights’ star most recently transformed into a Catholic priest for the new movie Father Stu, which opens April 13. Wahlberg also produced the film, which is based on the true story of a boxer-turned-priest.
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The Fighter star told Entertainment Tonight that Father Stu was a turning point in his career.
“I feel like this is the beginning of a new chapter for me to do things like this [with] Real substance can help people,” Wahlberg said. “I definitely want to focus on making more. I wouldn’t necessarily say just faith-based content, but things that help people.”
He added, “Hopefully this film will open a door not only for me but for a lot of other people in Hollywood to do more meaningful content.”
Wahlberg has called “Father Stu” a “dream role” that chose him to do “God’s good” work. The Uncharted star also sought advice on the film from the Boston priest who mentored the real Stuart Long.
Similarly, Wahlberg previously covered the true story of Joe Bell, a man who went across the US to speak out against homophobic bullying after his teenage son committed suicide. The film of the same name, Joe Bell, received mixed reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2020 and a quiet release the following year.
However, as he reflected on his career as a whole, Wahlberg did hint that he might be retiring from Hollywood “sooner rather than later” to spend more time with his four children.
“There has to be something special about really making me leave my home, to leave these guys behind,” the Wahlberg star said, “because it’s easily the biggest sacrifice I have to make.”
With more than 60 films to his name and many more in the works as a producer, including the theatrical adaptation The Six Billion Dollar Man and the Julius Caesar epic The Roman, Wahlberg has been an A-list staple for decades.
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But in 2017, Wahlberg cast his breakout role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights in a new religious light.
“I just always hope that God is a movie fan and also forgives because I’ve made some bad choices in my past,” Wahlberg said during an appearance at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago along with Cardinal Blasé Cupich. “‘Boogie Nights’ is at the top of the list.”
Wahlberg later clarified his comments, saying, “I sat in front of a couple thousand kids talking about it and trying to encourage them to go back to their faith and I just said I just hope he has a sense of humor because.” I may have made some decisions that may not be right for him.”
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