'Everybody is thriving': Mark Wahlberg says his family's big move from Hollywood to Las Vegas has been 'great'
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Mark Wahlberg has no remorse about stepping away from Hollywood. The move has been fantastic for Wahlberg's four teenage children. Last year, he packed up his family and moved from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The actor admitted in October 2022 that he relocated his family out of their opulent $90 million California property and into storage in order to pursue a "better life."
The 'Father Stu' actor revealed six months after the relocation that his children's lives were happier when the family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. "They love Vegas," the 51-year-old 'Ted' actor told E! News on Thursday, April 27. "I spent lots of time in LA pursuing my interests and my career and now it’s time for them to pursue theirs. Everybody is thriving there, it’s been great," the actor said.
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Who are Mark Wahlberg's children?
Wahlberg has one of the most impressive filmographies in Hollywood, but his "most important role" is that of a father. According to Wahlberg's explanation to E! News, moving to Sin City also brought some entertainment for him and his family, which includes his wife and their four children. The Oscar-nominated actor and his wife Rhea Durham have four kids together - Grace, 13, Ella, 19, Michael, 17, and Brendan, 14. Wahlberg acknowledges that having four children is "not easy," but he often looks to his faith "for the strength and guidance" to be the best father he can be.
Ella Rae Wahlberg, 19
Ella Rae was born on September 2, 2003, in Los Angeles, marking Wahlberg and Durham's first parental experience. Wahlberg has acknowledged in the past that having a teenage daughter might be "a challenge." However, it appears that Wahlberg and his older daughter have moved past the turbulent times. Since then, they have become friends over two seemingly unrelated topics: Ella's dating life and her sense of style.
Michael Wahlberg, 17
On March 21, 2006, in Los Angeles, Wahlberg and Durham had their second child, Michael. Michael Wahlberg is the eldest son in the Wahlberg family, and his name honors both his father and grandfather. Michael made his confirmation in May 2022, marking a spiritual milestone in keeping with his father's faith.
Brendan Joseph Wahlberg, 14
On September 16, 2008, Brendan Joseph Wahlberg became a part of the expanding family. Wahlberg revealed on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' that his older brothers' emotions toward his entrance were conflicted. Brendan shares his older brother's love of sports, and at the age of just 10, he even made a half-court basket in basketball.
Grace Margaret Wahlberg, 13
Grace Margaret was born to Wahlberg and Durham on January 11, 2010, making her their fourth child. Over the years, the 'Boogie Nights' actor and his younger daughter have shared a number of special moments, including his daughter's first communion, their dance as father and daughter, and a spa day during quarantine.
Why did Mark Wahlberg ditch Hollywood?
In an October phone call to 'The Talk,' the 'Me Time' star revealed that his entire team had "moved to Nevada where, after this gubernatorial election, hopefully we go to legislation and get a bill passed so we can get tax credits for the state, build a state-of-the-art studio here and make this Hollywood 2.0." The actor continued, saying that he is at home "every free moment," adding "I want to be able to work from home."
The move, as Wahlberg reiterated, was made to "give my kids a better life and follow and pursue their dreams — whether it be my daughter as an equestrian, my son as a basketball player, my younger son as a golfer," he told The Talk. The star further added that he and his wife Durham, 44, "came here to just kind of give ourselves a new look, a fresh start for the kids, and there's lots of opportunity here."
In April 2022, Wahlberg put his Beverly Hills mansion on the marketplace for a whopping $87.5 million. He paid just $8.25 million for the enormous 30,500-square-foot mansion in 2009. The mansion has 12 bedrooms, 20 bathrooms, a home theater, a five-hole golf course, a wine cellar, a tennis court, a skate park, and a separate guest house.
The 'Uncharted' actor bought his family home in Nevada after deciding to sell his opulent residence in California. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Wahlberg paid $15.6 million for a house in Summerlin, a suburb of Las Vegas, in July.
Does Hollywood and Mark Wahlberg have a problem?
When Wahlberg, a television and movie actor, presented the cast of 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' the final SAG Award, what was supposed to be a joyful occasion quickly turned nasty. As he presented the award for outstanding performance to the primarily Asian cast, people recalled his 1988 assaults on two Vietnamese men, as reported by MEAWW.
When Wahlberg was 16 years old and attempting to steal liquor in 1988, he whacked a Vietnamese man in the head with a stick. Later that day, he struck the face of another Vietnamese man. Wahlberg spent around 45 days in jail while one of the men needed to be taken to the hospital. Later, the actor expressed regret and helped raise millions of dollars for charitable causes.
Despite his crimes, Wahlberg was able to make the leap from a teen pop idol to a renowned actor. He was hailed for his work in 'The Fighter' and garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 'The Departed.' Despite his misdeeds, he was able to escape and become famous, and few people in Hollywood appeared to give any thought to him.