Mark Wahlberg Rolls With the Punches – Literally!
 Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic |
Not much has changed for Mark Wahlberg when it comes to being the family punching bag! The youngest of nine, the actor was often at the mercy of his older brothers growing up, and now the father-of-four admits his eldest son Michael has happily taken over the tradition.
After recently taking him to see boxer Manny Pacquiao, Mark tells Jimmy Kimmel that Michael has found his new passion in life. “My son is obsessed with boxing,” he reveals. Fortunately for Michael, who turns 4 next month, dad’s role as Mickey Ward in the upcoming film The Fighter means a boxing ring in the family’s backyard. His opponent? Dad!
“As soon as we got home he wanted to go in the ring and just pound the crap out of me,” Mark says.
“He puts on the gloves, tells me to get on my hands and knees and to put my hands behind my back and he just punches me as hard as he can. Fun for him, not fun for me because literally I was like, ‘This kid is staring to hit hard man!’ I had a bit of a headache.”
While proud that his son is “learning to hit and not be hit,” which Mark calls “the name of the game,” Jimmy is quick to point out that all of the boxing lessons may mean trouble down the road on the school yard.
“We’ve actually had that call once and now he knows that it’s only play with Daddy in the ring and that’s it,” Mark explains.
Click below to read how Mark keeps his kids appreciative of their good fortune, as well as the one thing he and Rhea wish for.
Noting that he and his wife Rhea Durham are “definitely hands on parents,” when it comes to raising their brood — which also includes Ella Rae, 6, Brendan Joseph, 17 months, and Grace Margaret, 5 weeks — the actor notes that the family’s fun-filled backyard makes time spent with their kids a dream.
“We got it all,” Mark says, running down the list. “The basketball court, the little football field in the back, the driving range and putting green, little playground area, a pool with cliffs and the slides.”
Still, Mark insists his kids remain aware of just how lucky they are. “I want them to appreciate everything,” he shares. And, made obvious by Ella’s recent willingness to donate all of her toys to the children of Haiti in the earthquake aftermath, Mark and Rhea consider their job well done.
“The thing about my kids is that they really care about other people. They go to church, they go to Catholic school, and they’re really aware of a lot of people who are less fortunate.”
As for whether there will be any new additions to the family, Mark jokes that the only thing he and Rhea are praying for these days is a bit of rest!
“My wife wanted four, she wanted two boys and two girls. God was so good and gave her everything that she wanted and now we just want some sleep,” he says with a laugh.
Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live!
– Anya
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Sounds like his kids are really grounded and I hope he and Rhea get some rest soon!
