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LOS ANGELES : Sitting in the Four Seasons Hospitality Press Suite in Los Angeles waiting to interview Mark Wahlberg, this reporter was suddenly taken by surprise.
Between squeals from some friends who think he’s the yummiest thing since sliced bread, knowing whispers from colleagues of how he’s known to be a tough and moody interviewee, and a concerned email from a friend reminding me that he was convicted of assault against two Vietnamese men after he had tried to rob them when he was 16 (“He’s racist and you’re Chinese!” she repeated several times), I really didn’t expect a perfect gentleman.
Decked out in a smart dark suit, finished with twinkly eyes and a super-friendly “Hi! How’s everyone doing?”, he strolled into the room and took the seat right next to me.
As our knees bumped, I looked up at his boyishly handsome face looking apologetically back. And that’s when I suddenly realised, embarrassingly, that I had actually melted a little inside.
And mind you, I was never a fan of Marky Mark. Or his funky bunch.
But that is the charisma of Mark Wahlberg, Oscar-nominated actor (for "The Departed"), executive producer of HBO’s insanely-popular series "Entourage" and star of the highly-anticipated "Max Payne", a crime-thriller-action film based on the mega-popular 2001 video game of the same name.
Over the years, the father of three has been many things. Juvenile delinquent with a criminal record. Calvin Klein underwear model. Pin-up boy. Chest-baring, pants-dropping hip-hop brat. Friend of talking monkeys in "Planet of the Apes".
Having successfully broken away from his chequered past, the actor, with films as varied as the indie gem "Boogie Nights", the existential flop "I Heart Huckabees", and the unintentional giggle-fest train wreck that was "The Happening", now has a crystal-clear perspective and a sense of duty that probably makes him the perfect candidate to play vigilante cop Max Payne.
As he celebrates his return to gun-toting action with this John Moore ("The Omen", 2006) action flick, the leading man candidly shared with TODAY his thoughts on therapy, his no-sex rule, and his August 2009 wedding. Finally.
Hello Mark. You’re looking very sharp.Do you always look this swanky?
Yes, of course. I wear this every day, even to the gym. (Laughs) To tell you the truth, when I first arrived, they brought me aside and suited me up. So, yeah, you like it?
Did you play the "Max Payne" game in preparation for the role?
Erm, no. My assistant, who is a big gamer geek, played it for me. He played it every single day until we finished filming. He couldn’t stop! I didn’t want to play because I have an addictive personality, and I didn’t want to spend all my time on a video game after working. I’d rather play the Nintendo Wii with my kids.
Will you take on roles like your iconic Dirk Diggler in "Boogie Nights" again then?
No. I will never disavow "Boogie Nights" but sometimes you need to just grow up. In America, sex is less accepted than violence. And in a way, I don’t care if my kids watch violence as long as there is no sex in it.
Really? Why?
I have responsibilities as a father. My job is to continue to explain and help them to understand what is real and what’s not, and what is entertainment.
Will you let your kid watch "Max Payne"?
No. I don’t want her to watch anything. Anything at all. (Laughs)
What do you think of when you look back on your colourful life and career?
That it could have been drastically different. And that’s why I am so grateful and I thank God every day of my life. How can I not? I need to humble myself and glorify Him because that’s why I am here.
Didn’t realise you were that religious a man. You’ve had tremendous success producing "Entourage". How long do you think it’ll go on for?
Hopefully we will go nine or 10 seasons. "Sex and the City" has obviously opened up the potential for doing a nice big movie after ... Anything is possible now. The wheels are definitely turning. Rhea (Durham, his fiancee) made me sit through "Sex and the City" the movie, so I want to make her sit through "Entourage".
Your other TV show, "In Treatment", has garnered quite a following. Do you believe in therapy?
Of course! I never went to therapy before and it was my fiancee’s idea to go. The next thing I know, I’m the one opening up, doing all the talking and getting all worked up ... (I realised) that I was very selfish and a little overprotective about letting my guard down. I got my heart broken early on, so yeah ... Now, I’m getting married. Next August.
It’s about time! So you’re both going to stop with baby No 3?
I see myself with nine ... at least. (Smiles) I am after all the youngest of nine, so why not? As long as mummy can take it.
With so many kids, what will be your biggest worry?
Having them watch all that I did during the ’90s. Oh my god, I keep thinking, how am I ever going to explain this to my kids?
Goodness, are you a prude?
(Laughs) I have always been a prude. Just because I’ve run around in my underwear, doesn’t mean I’m not.
So does that mean you’ll never rap again?
Nope, I rap along to Alvin and the Chipmunks.
So, what’s next for Mark Wahlberg?
We got a couple of things in the pipeline that I don’t really want to talk about right now. But "The Fighter" (Darren Aronofsky’s biopic-in-progress based on boxer “Irish” Micky Ward), which I have been training for, is something I really want to do. I have spent two years of my life trying to make this work, so for my own selfish reasons, I want to be able to play a great champion - one of my heroes.
There also might be some other stuff coming out in the next couple of weeks. But I can’t say what now.
Oh, come on. Can’t you just share?
If it’s not real and I say it, then I’ll just look like an ass! I don’t like to count my chickens before they hatch.
Max Payne opens in cinemas on Thursday. - TODAY/rose
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