Mark Wahlberg says biggest sacrifice of Hollywood career is being away from family ahead of Play Dirty premiere

Mark Wahlberg says the biggest sacrifice of his Hollywood career is being away from his family, the actor told ABC News ahead of the world premiere of his Amazon film Play Dirty on Sept. 24. He noted that while the job can take him away, he values the chance to share moments with his children when possible, and they attended the premiere last night.

"They were actually at the premiere last night, which is nice. And, you know, the biggest sacrifice with my job is being away from my family," Wahlberg said. "So, to be able to have them come and share that and experience it and just spend time with me, you know, visit dad so I can see their faces." Wahlberg and his wife, Rhea Durham, share four children: Ella, Michael, Brendan and Grace.

Wahlberg, who rose to fame in the film industry and is known for the Transformers franchise, said his kids used to be interested in his work during the earlier films, but are less so now. "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,'" he joked.

Wahlberg met Durham at a press junket in New York City, and the very next day he asked her to attend church with him — a moment that helped cement their relationship. They married in 2009, and Wahlberg has often credited Durham with helping him stay grounded and focused on family. "I owe a lot to my wife," he told The Sun in 2018, noting that she loves him for who he is and has helped him build a stable life for their children.

The actor ties his professional discipline to his family life, saying the morning routine is essential to his success. He noted that bedtime is part of the equation: "The only way I can do it is if I get to bed at 7 [p.m.], 'cause I need eight hours of sleep." His fitness routine begins at 3 a.m., a schedule he has described publicly as critical to maintaining both his health and work ethic.

Earlier, he outlined a typical day to Fox News Digital: "Tomorrow I'm getting up 2:30, in the gym 3:30, finish about 5:30, go to work 7:30" — a pattern that he says allows him to balance reading, script work, and interviews with the demands of a high-profile acting career.

Ultimately, Wahlberg frames his routine and sacrifices as part of a broader message for his family and fans: discipline, consistency, and the willingness to put in the work are the price of ongoing professional success and personal fulfillment. The premiere for Play Dirty, which brings Wahlberg back into the spotlight ahead of its release on Amazon, highlighted the intertwining of his public career with the life he shares with his wife and children.