Good Vibrations Indeed! Mark Wahlberg's Net Worth, From His Marky Mark Days to Oscar Nominee

Mark Wahlberg has had one of the funkiest rises to A-list actor prominence. From his troubled youth to his music career, no one could have predicted he would one day become a respected Hollywood player. He’s come a long way from performing in his underwear!

Mark Wahlberg’s net worth comes from more than just performing in his skivvies. Considering he has been in the spotlight for decades now, he has to have amassed at least a small fortune, right? And it seems like he’s always coming out with a new project nowadays!

Here is all you need to know about Mark Wahlberg’s net worth—and more!

How did Mark Wahlberg become famous?

Mark Wahlberg is the younger brother of Donnie Wahlberg, who became famous as a member of the '80s boy band New Kids on the Block. However, most people are unaware of the fact that Mark himself was also one of the original members of the band at the age of 13, though he quit after a few months, before Danny Wood, Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, and Joey McIntyre joined the group.

Years later, after New Kids had reached great levels of fame, Mark began recording with rappers/dancers Hector Barros (Hector the Booty Inspector), Scott Ross (Scottie Gee), Anthony Thomas (Ashley Ace), and Terry Yancey (DJ-T) under the name Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. Their debut album Music for the People was produced by Donnie Wahlberg and produced the hit “Good Vibrations,” which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and even was certified as a platinum single. Despite then opening for New Kids on the Block on tour, “Good Vibrations” proved to be the group’s only major hit. However, this was Mark Wahlberg’s first taste of fame of his own.

After appearing in his underwear in the “Good Vibrations” music video, Wahlberg modeled also in his skivvies in ads for Calvin Klein in 1992, getting his face and physique out in the world. The following year, Wahlberg began his acting career with a role in the 1993 tv film The Substitute, dropping the “Marky Mark” moniker from his acting career at this time. The year after, in 1994, Wahlberg appeared on the big screen for the first time alongside Danny DeVito in the Penny Marshall comedy Renaissance Man. In 1995, he took on the role of Mickey in the critically acclaimed The Basketball Diaries alongside an up-and-coming Leonardo DiCaprio. Finally, in 1996, he landed his first leading role opposite Reese Witherspoon in the romantic thriller Fear.

However, it was the next year, with his starring role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights that really put Wahlberg on the map as a leading actor. Boogie Nights was critically acclaimed and successful at the box office and made Wahlberg the star he is today.

Related: Mark Wahlberg's Kids Do Not Approve of His '90s Fashion Choices

Did the Wahlbergs grow up poor?

Mark Wahlberg’s life didn’t start out all glitz and glamor. The Wahlbergs did grow up poor, with Mark being the youngest of nine children, though he would find out later that there may be as many as 12 children in his family—or more. He shared a room with five of his brothers. His mother was a bank clerk and a nurse's aide and his father was a delivery driver. His parents divorced in 1982 and he split his time between the both of them.

One of Wahlberg’s brothers was locked up in a youth facility early on with Wahlberg himself becoming acquainted with crime at a young age. He was 10 the first time he got high and was known to be a young con man in his community.

The Boston-born actor was involved in several racially charged violent crimes as a teenager. In June of 1986, a then-15-year-old Wahlberg along with three friends chased down three black children while screaming a racial slur at them, threatening them, and throwing rocks. The following day, Wahlberg and his friends once again harassed a group of mostly black children, again throwing rocks, yelling racial slurs, and even encouraging other white males to join them. This led to a civil action being filed against Wahlberg in August of 1986 for violating his victims’ civil rights, with the case being settled the following month.

In April of 1988, when Wahlberg was 16, he was involved in another racist assault when he attacked a Vietnamese-American middle-aged man on the street while shouting racist remarks and knocking him out with a big stick. That same day, Wahlberg also attacked another Vietnamese-American man, Johnny Trinh, when he punched him in the eye. Wahlberg was arrested, with investigators noting that he made several racist remarks, and charged with attempted murder. The actor would later claim he was high on PCP during the crime. He pled guilty to felony assault and was sentenced to two years in jail, though he only ended up serving 45 days of this sentence. Trinh has since released a statement forgiving Wahlberg for the attack. Wahlberg himself has since expressed his remorse for his childhood… er… "indiscretions."

What is Mark Wahlberg’s net worth in 2022?

Mark Wahlberg has a net worth of a whopping $400 million. Not bad for a kid from Dorchester! He has earned this money through his work as a musician/rapper, model, actor, producer, entrepreneur, and investor—though he is mainly known for his acting work nowadays.

Is Mark Wahlberg rich?

Considering the fact that Mark Wahlberg has a net worth of $400 million, it’s pretty safe to say that he is rich. Coming from humble beginnings, he probably never thought he would be worth that much today.

How did Mark Wahlberg get rich?

While the majority of Wahlberg’s fortune did come from his acting roles, he does have several streams of income. He earned up to $3 million a year from executive producing the HBO series Entourage. He also has made lucrative real estate investments as well as endorsement deals like his sports nutritional line with GNC, “Marked.”

In addition, he is also a co-owner with two of his brothers, Donnie and Paul, of Wahlburgers. Wahlburgers started as a Massachusetts diner with a single location but has since expanded into a Boston-wide franchise. The restaurant even spawned its own reality series on A&E, Wahlburgers, which ran from 2014 to 2019.

What's Paul Wahlberg’s net worth?

Paul Wahlberg is Mark Wahlberg’s older brother and the co-owner of Wahlburgers alongside him and Donnie. He is the chef and main driver behind the restaurant. Paul Wahlberg has a net worth of $10 million due to the success of the restaurant (with the help of his famous brothers, let’s be honest!) and the subsequent reality series surrounding the franchise.

Who is richer: Mark Wahlberg or Donnie Wahlberg?

As has been previously written, Mark Wahlberg has a net worth of $400 million. His older brother Donnie Wahlberg, who was extremely instrumental in Mark’s early career, has a net worth of $25 million. As a result, we can safely say that Mark Wahlberg is richer than Donnie Wahlberg, a whole lot richer in fact. Sorry Donnie, hopefully Mark picks up the tab from time to time!

Related: Mark and Donnie Wahlberg’s Mom: I'd Be Just as Proud if They Were 'Ditch Diggers'

How much does Mark Wahlberg make in a year?

The amount that Mark Wahlberg makes a year does vary from year to year depending on the projects he has undertaken. On average, it has been reported that Wahlberg makes around $2 million a year. However, in order to earn a net worth of $400 million, clearly, he’s had to have some years that are way better than others!

What was Mark Wahlberg's first job before he was famous?

Before he was famous, Mark Wahlberg actually earned money by committing crimes on the streets. This included hustling, stealing, and selling drugs. After turning his life around following a felony conviction and prison sentence, he then became a successful rapper and model before transitioning to acting.

How much did Mark Wahlberg make for Ted?

Mark Wahlberg was reportedly paid $7.5 million for his role in 2012’s talking teddy bear comedy Ted. If only we could all make this much for hanging with our childhood stuffed animals!

How much did Mark Wahlberg make for Entourage?

Mark Wahlberg reportedly made up to $3 million a year for executive producing the HBO series Entourage. Considering the series ran for 8 years and even spawned a 2015 movie, that means Wahlberg most likely earned over $24 million for his behind-the-scenes role.

How much did Mark Wahlberg make for The Happening?

Mark Wahlberg starred in the critically-panned, often-mocked 2008 M. Night Shyamalan misfire The Happening. However, it is not known how much he was paid for his role in the not-beloved movie. Considering the fact that he was already making between $5 million to $10 million per movie at that time, we can imagine he was paid in that range.

How much did Mark Wahlberg get paid for Father Stu?

According to reports, Mark Wahlberg has actually spent millions of his own money to finance 2022’s Father Stu, which he also produced and starred in. So… it’s kind of the opposite of getting paid, right? However, he may have a deal to earn a percentage of the movie’s profits as a producer and financial backer.

How much did Mark Wahlberg make for Uncharted?

Mark Wahlberg was reportedly paid $30 million to appear in 2022’s Uncharted alongside Tom Holland and Antonio Banderas. That certainly makes up for taking that pay cut for Father Stu!

Related: Mark Wahlberg's Grueling Daily Schedule Is a Challenge to Others

How much did Mark Wahlberg get paid for Transformers?

To appear in 2014’s Transformers: Age of Extinction, Mark Wahlberg was reportedly paid $17 million. However, to appear in its sequel, 2017’s Transformers: The Last Knight, Wahlberg may have negotiated a deal to earn as much as $40 million! Guess it pays to be the last knight!

How much did Mark Wahlberg make for The Fighter?

Mark Wahlberg took a pay cut to appear in the Academy Award-winning, critically acclaimed 2010 movie The Fighter alongside Christian Bale. He was paid only $500,000 for the role, according to reports. Many actors will take pay cuts to appear in indie or arthouse films, however, and if stars win Oscars (or even just are nominated), it can improve their bargaining power in future roles.

How much did Mark Wahlberg make for Shooter?

Mark Wahlberg took on the leading role in 2007’s Shooter. For this role, he was paid $10 million. The movie even spawned a TV series, so clearly it had some big fans!

How much did Mark Wahlberg invest in F45?

Through investment firm MWIG, in 2019, Mark Wahlberg invested $110 million into F45. F45 Training is an Austin, Texas-based fitness company with fitness centers throughout the world. Does that get him a free membership?

Next, check out 15 fun facts about Uncharted star Mark Wahlberg!