Mark Wahlberg, star of "The Italian Job"
courtesy of Paramount Pictures
"Mark Wahlberg Pushes 'Marky Mark" One Step Further Into the Background"

ATLANTA: Mark Wahlberg has come a long way since his bad boy days as "Marky Mark," Donnie Wahlberg's younger and more dangerous brother. He has used a series of movie roles to bring him into public awareness as an actor with unlimited potential. These included turns in "Three Kings," "Boogie Nights," and "Planet of the Apes."

Wahlberg is the star of the new film "The Italian Job" and he was in Atlanta recently to promote the film. He appeared relaxed and eager to do some interviews when I met with him. He looks just the same off screen as on but maybe a little bigger than I expected.

When I asked him about making this movie he responded, "I had a great time on this film. It was one of the most fun things I have ever done and I enjoyed every minute of it. I have enjoyed other movies but nothing like this one."

Charlize Theron is Wahlberg's co-star in the film but there is very little romance between them. "Yeah, well that is for the sequel," he said. "'The Brazillian Job' or something like that. It will all take place on the beach and Charlize will be in a thong and I will be rubbing oil on her back. How about that?"

I told him it sounded good to me. At that time his cell phone rang. He seemed embarrassed and turned it off quickly. Later he told me his girlfriend is seven months pregnant and he is already a little nervous about the baby coming. "It's a girl," he said. "I don't know the name yet cause I was going to get to name it if it was a boy but she gets to name the girl and she hasn't told me what she has decided yet."

With his musical background I thought he might be ripe for a musical movie. "I don't know about that," he said. "Musicals and science fiction movies aren't high on my list." I guess "Planet of the Apes" really wasn't a good experience for him.

When I asked him what movie he is best known for he didn't hesitate. "'Boogie Nights' is the one people always mention. I guess I can understand why," he said with a grin.

I told him that a lot of people mention "Fear" when talking about his career. That was the movie he made with Reese Witherspoon several years ago. "That was my time to be the really bad guy in a movie. It was fun to do but I don't think I would want to do too much of that," he said.

Coming up next for Wahlberg is an "Indiana Jones" type of role. Can't you just see him in an Indy hat with a whip? Do I smell a franchise here? "Its way to early to talk about anything like that," he said as our time ended.

The days of Marky Mark are long gone, and the days of Mark Wahlberg actor have just begun. It seems he is in for an exciting year with fatherhood, a hit movie, and an exciting new film coming up.

Mark Wahlberg's Official Website

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©2003 Jackie K. Cooper

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