Mark Wahlberg is opening up about finding the balance between sharing his faith with his kids but letting them make their own decisions.
During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly at the Balls Up premiere on Tuesday, April 14, Wahlberg, 54, reflected on his and wife Rhea Durham‘s 16-year-old daughter, Grace, celebrating her First Communion.
“After being baptized and making your communion, you’re actually making a commitment to pursue this relationship with God throughout your adult life,” Wahlberg noted. “It’s a beautiful thing.”
The actor said he’s “very, very happy” with his daughter’s commitment.
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“I’ve only tried to be an example to my kids and not force my faith on them,” he explained. “And hopefully they see that it really works for me, and they gravitate towards it on their own.”
Wahlberg, who shares four kids with Durham, 47, has frequently spoken about his relationship with religion as a devoted Catholic. His brother Donnie Wahlberg has also prioritized his faith on and off screen after reprising his role as Danny Reagan in Blue Bloods’ spinoff Boston Blue.
“Faith being part of the show was important to everyone. The faith is different than Danny’s Catholic upbringing, but we still get to see his upbringing and I think that’s really important too,” Donnie, 56, exclusively told Us in February. “It’s not the Reagan family sitting around the table saying grace but the fact that it’s still there — to me — is just as important.”
Donnie also defended how the show has found a way to center faith, adding, “Especially when it comes to faith, it says more to me about Danny and Sean’s faith that they’re honoring the Reagan traditions even when they’re hundreds of miles away. They didn’t abandon it. They stick to it and they respect this new family’s traditions while still honoring their own. The Reagan men are continuing it now even though they’re not in New York.”
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At the time, Donnie teased whether Boston Blue would allow him to reunite with Mark on screen.
“I think my nephews are also interested in playing parts. They’re actors and we have Oscar, Jeffrey and Brandon. They are all doing very well in their own right,” he shared. “Is there a world where I finally twist Mark’s arm to come do an episode? Maybe. It depends on the script, but anything’s possible.”
Mark, for his part, is currently booked and busy with roles in projects such as Balls Up. The Prime Video film follows two rival marketing executives who are fired after a disastrous pitch for a condom sponsorship at the World Cup. Despite losing their jobs, they use their free tickets to attend the World Cup Final in Brazil.
In addition to Mark, Balls Up stars Paul Walter Hauser, Molly Shannon, Benjamin Bratt, Daniela Melchior, Eric André and Sacha Baron Cohen.
Balls Up is streaming now on Prime Video.
