Mark Wahlberg Born: Rapper Turned Hollywood Mogul

Mark Wahlberg reinvented himself from Marky Mark, the underwear-model rapper, into one of Hollywood's most bankable leading men and producers. Born on June 5, 1971, in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, the youngest of nine children in an Irish-American working-class family, he had a troubled youth that included a conviction for assault at age 16. He served 45 days of a two-year sentence. His older brother Donnie was already famous as a member of New Kids on the Block, and Mark initially pursued music, forming Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. The group's debut single, "Good Vibrations," went to number one in 1991. His Calvin Klein underwear campaign in 1992, photographed by Herb Ritts, made him one of the most recognizable bodies in advertising. The transition to acting was initially met with skepticism, but performances in "Boogie Nights," "Three Kings," and "The Perfect Storm" demonstrated genuine talent. His Oscar-nominated role in "The Departed" in 2006 confirmed his status as a serious actor. He produced the HBO series "Entourage," loosely based on his own experiences in Hollywood, and built a production company that generated billions in box office revenue through franchises including "Transformers," "Ted," and "Lone Survivor." His business ventures extended well beyond entertainment. He co-founded the restaurant chain Wahlburgers with his brothers, invested in fitness brands including F45 Training, and maintained interests in automotive dealerships. His combined fortune from acting, producing, and business investments was estimated at over $400 million, making him one of the wealthiest actors in Hollywood.