Mark Wahlberg stunned fans this week with a dramatic transformation on the set of his new film By Any Means. The 53-year-old actor was nearly unrecognizable as he stepped onto the Atlanta set dressed as a 1960s mobster.
Wahlberg wore a gray suit over a red, wide-lapelled shirt and tinted aviator sunglasses. His long hair was slicked back, and he appeared to be wearing a prosthetic nose. The striking look is part of his role in the upcoming crime thriller set in 1966 Mississippi.
Directed by Elegance Bratton, By Any Means follows a mafia hitman, played by Wahlberg, who teams up with a young Black FBI agent to investigate a series of murders targeting civil rights leaders. The story blends historical tension with gritty crime drama.
Wahlberg stars alongside Emmy winner Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who was also spotted filming this week in a blue-grey suit. He was seen performing a tense scene using a corded phone, further setting the period tone of the film.
The star-studded cast includes Giancarlo Esposito, Ethan Embry, Josh Lucas, David Strathairn, LisaGay Hamilton, LaChanze, and Nicole Beharie. With a compelling plot and a powerful ensemble, By Any Means is shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated films.
Wahlberg is known for his dedication to his roles, and this transformation is the latest example of his commitment to character-driven performances. However, off-screen, the actor stays grounded by focusing on his family.
Married to Rhea Wahlberg since 2009, the couple shares four children: Ella, 21, Michael, 18, Brendan, 16, and Grace, 15. Despite a demanding career, Wahlberg often speaks about the importance of fatherhood.
“I want to give my kids the world,” he said in a recent interview. “But I also want them to appreciate everything, to succeed, to be good people, to enjoy life. This is my most important role. If I fail at this, I fail at everything.”
Wahlberg and Rhea welcomed their first daughter, Ella, in September 2003. That same day, his sister Deborah Wahlberg passed away at the age of 43—a deeply personal moment that continues to resonate with him.
Though he maintains a close bond with his children, Wahlberg has acknowledged the challenges of raising daughters. In a 2018 interview with People, he described the experience as “tough,” noting the emotional ups and downs that come with parenting teenage girls.
“There’s a lot of attitude, a lot of aggression,” he said. “But people say they come back to you.”
Whether on screen as a mobster or off screen as a devoted father, Mark Wahlberg continues to show his range and depth—proving once again why he remains one of Hollywood’s most compelling figures.
