Today, we're celebrating the 41st birthday of actor Mark Wahlberg. A Boston native and the youngest of nine children, Mark had plenty of ups and downs during his adolescence and youth. He got his first big start as a member of his brother Donnie's musical group New Kids on the Block, but he soon branched out on his own and created Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. From there, Wahlberg channeled his impressive physique into modeling for Calvin Klein. At the same time, however, Mark had quite a few run-ins with the law after some rather serious offenses. Ultimately, he managed to keep his fury at bay, and he transitioned to the acting scene and has slowly grown into one of the more popular men to grace the silver screen. In 2009, Wahlberg married long-time girlfriend Rhea Durham, with whom he has four children. Wahlberg has also started to take seat in the producer's chair, most prominently with his producing role for the television show "Entourage." Here's a look at some of the fun facts and accolades associated with Wahlberg's acting career:
Acting
First Film: Renaissance Man (1994)
Last Film: Contraband (2012)
Next Film: Ted (2012)
Academy Awards
Nominated: Best Supporting Actor, The Departed (2006)
Nominated: Best Picture, The Fighter (2010)
Over the years, I've managed to see twelve of Wahlberg's films, and on average, his films have received a 'B-' grade. From these twelve, I have created the following list of my five favorite of his performances:
5. Micky Ward
The Fighter (2010)
*****
4. Mickey
The Basketball Diaries (1995)
*****
3. Eddie Adams / Dirk Diggler
Boogie Nights (1997)
*****
2. Dignam
The Departed (2006)
*****
1. Tommy Corn
I Heart Huckabees (2004)
Once again, I would like to wish Mark Wahlberg a happy 41st birthday!
Today, we're celebrating the 65th birthday of Academy Award-nominated actor Richard Jenkins. A native of Illinois, Jenkins nabbed his first feature film performance in 1985's Silverado, but it was until his role in 1986's Hannah and Her Sisters that he started to get noticed. He worked consistently in film and television throughout the late 1980s and all through the 1990s, but it is only recently that Jenkins has truly started to gain more prominent national attention. After an uncredited performance in the 2004 comedy I Heart Huckabees, Jenkins found work in such big-time fare as 2005's Fun with Dick and Jane and 2007's The Kingdom. He scored his sole Oscar nomination for his performance in the 2008 film The Visitor. Jenkins then burst onto the comedy scene after co-starring with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly in 2008's Step Brothers, as well as co-starring in the Coen brothers ensemble comedy, Burn After Reading. Most recently, audiences have seen Jenkins in the 2012 film The Cabin in the Woods, and he'll appear in a slew of other 2012 releases, including Killing Them Softly and The Company You Keep. And so, to celebrate his birthday, I've created a list of my five favorite of Jenkins' performances, and I've found some clips to illustrate those roles. Once again, happy birthday, Richard!
Today, we're celebrating the 39th birthday of the two-time Academy Award-nominated actor, Jude Law. Jude made his debut in a feature-length theatrical release in 1994's Shopping, but he didn't make a legitimate splash on the Hollywood scene until his supporting role in 1997's Gattaca. He nabbed his first Oscar nomination for his supporting role in The Talented Mr. Ripley before continuing to appear in high-profile films like 2001's Enemy at the Gates and 2002's Road to Perdition. He scored his second Oscar nomination for his leading role in 2003's Cold Mountain. Since then, Law has continued to stay in the spotlight, starring in films like 2004's Closer and The Aviator, as well as 2009's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and Sherlock Holmes. Most recently, audiences have seen Jude Law in 2011's Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and 2011's Hugo, and they'll next be able to see him in the 2012 film, Anna Karenina. So, for his birthday, I've listed my five favorite Jude Law performances. I hope you enjoy the videos. Once again, happy birthday, Jude Law!
5. Jerome Eugene Morrow Gattaca (1997)
*****
4. Brad Stand I Heart Huckabees (2004)
*****
3. Dickie Greenleaf The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
