Mark Wahlberg cites 'biggest sacrifice' of Hollywood career: time away from family

Mark Wahlberg says the biggest sacrifice of his Hollywood career is time away from his family. The 54-year-old actor discussed the challenge as he promotes his new film Play Dirty, telling ABC News that his kids visited him on set and attended the world premiere in New York City, a moment he described as meaningful for their family.

Wahlberg reiterated that the trade-off of a demanding show business schedule is being separated from loved ones. He noted that his children visited him while he was filming and were on hand for the premiere Wednesday night. He also recalled how their interest in his work has shifted over the years: "In the ‘Transformer’ days, they were interested. They wanted to come. They wanted to see the action. They wanted to see Bumblebee. Now, they’re like, ‘Dad, this is boring.'" The actor joked that his kids’ engagement with his job has faded as they’ve grown older. Wahlberg and his wife, Rhea Durham, share four children: Ella, Michael, Brendan and Grace, whom he has credited with helping him stay grounded.

To stay at the top of a grueling schedule, Wahlberg relies on a disciplined routine. He described an early-morning workout regimen that starts in the pre-dawn hours and requires strict sleep. "The only way I can do it is if I get to bed at 7 [p.m.], ’cause I need eight hours of sleep," he said, noting that his fitness routine begins at 3 a.m. He told ABC News that the discipline is the key to balancing personal life and professional success: "This is the only way that I could be successful, both personally and professionally." His remarks come as he has discussed his daily grind in other interviews as well, including a profile with Fox News Digital that described a typical day—"Tomorrow I’m getting up 2:30, in the gym 3:30, finish about 5:30, go to work 7:30"—to illustrate the workload behind his performances.

Wahlberg has often attributed much of his success to his partner in life. In a 2018 interview with The Sun, he said, "I owe a lot to my wife. She has helped me become the man that I am and created a beautiful life for me and our children. I also knew that she loved me for who I am and that she was someone I could trust. Until I met her, I wasn’t ready to get married." The actor’s dedication to both his craft and his family reflects a broader message he has shared about balancing ambition with responsibility. He has previously described his life outside acting as focused on maintaining a healthy routine and a strong family foundation as the bedrock of his career.

Play Dirty, Wahlberg’s latest project, continues to put him on screen while he navigates a career that requires him to be away from home. He has underscored the importance of using his platform to model discipline, hard work, and family values. As he advances in his career, Wahlberg’s emphasis remains on keeping his commitments to his wife and children at the forefront, even as he takes on demanding roles across film and production.