Happy Birthday, Mark Wahlberg!

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!

Happy Birthday, Christian Bale!

Today we're celebrating the 38th birthday of Academy Award-winning actor Christian Bale. Bale, who got his acting start in the mid-1980s, landed his first appearances in a theatrically-released film in the 1987 films Mio in the Land of Faraway and Empire of the Sun. From there, he worked relatively consistently throughout the 1990s, appearing in high-profile films like 1994's Little Women, 1996's The Portrait of a Lady and 1999's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It wasn't until 2000 that he made his first big splash in the film American Psycho, which brought him to public attention. He nabbed roles in some smaller independent films before shooting to the A-list with his turn as Bruce Wayne/Batman in Christopher Nolan's 2005 film, Batman Begins. With his newfound star status, Bale has managed to nab a number of roles since then, including the 2008 sequel The Dark Knight as well as the final chapter in Nolan's Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, which audiences will be able to see this summer. So, to celebrate his birthday, I've listed my five favorite of Bale's performances. I hope you enjoy the videos I've found. Once again, happy birthday, Christian Bale!

5. Dan Evans
3:10 to Yuma (2007)


***

4. Alfred Borden
The Prestige (2006)


***

3. Jack / Pastor John
I'm Not There. (2007)


***

2. Dicky Eklund
The Fighter (2010)


***

1. Patrick Bateman
American Psycho (2000)