Mark and his older brother Donnie were part of the '80s boy band New Kids on the Block. However, Wahlberg didn't entirely approve of their clean and preppy image, which he most likely thought was just plain sissy. Upon leaving the group before they rose to fame, Marky Mark signed himself to a label, gathered together a group of dancers and a DJ, and called them his "Funky Bunch". Thus, the '80s and early '90s were graced with the ever prevalent presence of Wahlberg's hard abs and his break-dancing buddies. 

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3. Mark Wahlberg as a model.

That epic hip hop body was just too hot to remain on MTV alone. During performances, the cocky Marky Mark would almost always be seen in JUST his underpants-- and perhaps on chillier days, a cap. His choice of wardrobe on-screen inspired Calvin Klein to propose a new job to the already famous rapper, by asking him to don their signature boxers and briefs alongside a naked Kate Moss. The topless, crotch-grabbing Wahlberg became a hit, and until this day, is considered one of Calvin Klein's most successful and memorable endorsers.

4. Mark Wahlberg as a mama's boy

The youngest of 9 siblings, Wahlberg was raised in Dorchester, an impoverished section of Boston that was riddled with crime and racial discrimination in the early '80s. After his parents' divorce when he was barely a teenager, the family suffered financially and struggled to make ends meet. Once New Kids on the Block became a hit, and Marky Mark sold his first album, the family got back on their feet and supported the Wahlberg boys' musical ambitions. In 2001 however, Wahlberg, who was always close to his mother Alma, purchased a humble $5 million home for her in Beverly Hills.

5. Mark Wahlberg as a descendant of Nathaniel Hawthorne

The famous American novelist responsible for school-required reading of his most boring work, The Scarlet Letter, may not have been alive to ever meet his nephew, but will definitely be proud to find out that he has been exceeded in popularity-- just because more and more people are too lazy to read a book and would rather go see Contraband in the movie house instead. Blood relatives on Wahlberg's mother's side, it's still pretty surprising that these two very different personalities share the same blood line.

5. Mark Wahlberg as a devout Roman Catholic

For a kid who made his first few bucks in robbery and the drug trade, and also spent a relatively large amount of time discriminating against many racial minorities in Boston, it's pretty surprising to find out that the new Mark Wahlberg is a devout Catholic. Never missing a day of mass, Wahlberg even requests for the address of the Catholic church nearest his shooting location when abroad.

6. Mark Wahlberg and a near-death encounter

True to popular belief, Mark Wahlberg was meant to be on one of the planes during the devastating 9-11 terrorist attacks in the US. A recent quip by the Contraband star had him claiming that he could have fought off the bad guys and landed the plane safely. It's a pretty good thing he had his head on straight, because an apology about the insensitive comment was issued almost immediately. Maybe you should be the judge of Mark's butt kicking action, and go see Contraband yourself. Let us whet your appetite with the only thing we're allowed to show you: a trailer.

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