Mark Wahlberg and family make rare red-carpet return at Play Dirty premiere
Wahlberg attends NYC premiere with wife Rhea Durham and all four children, marking a rare public appearance after years of keeping their brood out of the spotlight.
Mark Wahlberg brought his family to the Play Dirty premiere in New York City on Wednesday, turning the red carpet into a rare family affair. The Oscar-nominated actor appeared at the SVA Theatre with wife Rhea Durham and their four children — Ella, 22; Michael, 19; Brendan, 17; and Grace, 15 — all smiles for photographers as they posed for the flash outside the venue. The moment offered a rare moment of visibility for the family, who generally keep a low profile while Wahlberg pursues acting projects and business ventures.
Durham and the younger daughters coordinated in dark outfits, with Durham stunning in a strapless black dress while Ella wore a pink one. Brendan kept a casual look in a long-sleeve shirt and jeans, and Wahlberg dressed down in a sweater and tan pants paired with white sneakers. The family’s appearance came at a premiere hosted at NYC’s SVA Theatre, underscoring Wahlberg’s ongoing effort to balance high-profile work with private family life. This outing marked Wahlberg’s first red-carpet appearance with his brood in nearly a decade; the last time he brought the kids to a premiere was August 2024, for the release of The Union.
The couple have been married since 2009 and largely shield their children from the spotlight. In 2022, Wahlberg moved his family from Los Angeles to Nevada, citing a better life and a fresh start outside of Hollywood. He spoke about the move on The Talk, highlighting opportunities in Nevada and his optimism for the future. The relocation coincided with a shift in the family dynamic, as Wahlberg’s eldest began attending Clemson University in South Carolina, while Durham shared moments from the drop-off on social media, describing emotions as running wild.
Since then, Wahlberg has continued to manage a busy professional schedule while maintaining a private family life. The actor has explained that moving away from the Hollywood environment was a conscious choice to offer his children a broader set of opportunities and a sense of normalcy. Durham has frequently posted family photos on Instagram, offering glimpses of vacations and holiday dinners, though the couple generally keeps a low profile in the public eye.
The premiere and this latest family appearance come as Wahlberg continues to balance his multi-decade career with a commitment to his family. While the public sees moments like the Play Dirty red-carpet moment, those close to Wahlberg describe a man who prioritizes a supportive home life and a sense of stability for his children as they pursue their own paths.