Hollywood tough guy Mark Wahlberg made a career playing characters who could kick anyone's tail.
But his own kids aren't buying it.
And Mark Wahlberg's kids just roasted him with one brutal movie comparison that left him speechless.
Wahlberg's Kids Turn Family Movie Night Into Roast Session
Wahlberg built his reputation playing street-smart Boston characters who don't back down from anyone.
From his Oscar-nominated turn as a foul-mouthed cop in The Departed to Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell in Lone Survivor, Wahlberg became Hollywood's go-to guy for roles requiring toughness and authenticity.
His four kids with wife Rhea Durham — Ella, 22, Michael, 19, Brendan, 17, and Grace, 15 — grew up watching their dad play these hard-charging characters on screen.
Now they're old enough to call him out on it.
"I do enjoy watching a movie with them and we'll watch 'Family Plan' together as a family this weekend and they will make fun and they'll imitate me," Wahlberg told Fox News Digital.¹
The actor said his kids' favorite pastime is getting up and performing full-blown imitations of their dad's movie roles.
"The thing that I enjoy most is the imitations, right. Them making fun because they'll get up and they'll actually perform and they crack each other up, which makes me laugh to no end," Wahlberg said.¹
Kids Deliver Devastating Verdict On Dad's Tough Guy Credentials
The Wahlberg kids don't just mock their dad's Boston accent.
They've developed a running debate about which movie characters could beat him in a fight.
And their favorite pick to dominate dear old dad? Jason Bourne.
Matt Damon's CIA assassin character became the gold standard in the Wahlberg household for what a real action hero looks like.
"They do a little bit of the Boston, they do a bit of 'the angry dad,' you know, they do a little bit of everything," Wahlberg explained. "They do a lil' bit of, oh, I think I'm tough, and you know. They talk about all the other characters in movies that would kick my a–, you know, and they're talking about, 'Dad, you can never beat Jason Bourne, you can never beat this one.'"²
The assessment has to sting a bit for an actor who portrayed characters trained by the Marines, Navy SEALs, and various law enforcement agencies.
But Wahlberg said the roasting never stops.
"It's endless. It's endless, and I, I enjoy it thoroughly," Wahlberg added.²
Family Bonding Through Brutal Honesty
Wahlberg's kids aren't trying to hurt his feelings.
The 54-year-old actor said this kind of family dynamic brings them closer together.
The real challenge for Wahlberg isn't dealing with his kids' mockery — it's figuring out how much freedom to give them as they become adults.
"Trying not to give them enough leeway to kind of figure things out for themselves, but not enough that they're going to actually do something that they are going to regret," Wahlberg said. "And you know, I know better than anybody, all that stuff that stays with you."³
Wahlberg's troubled past gives him unique perspective on the choices young people face.
He dropped out of high school at 14, dealt drugs, and served 45 days in prison at age 16 for assault before turning his life around through music and acting.
"We want to make sure that they are going live up to their full potential and just trying to raise them the right way," Wahlberg explained. "But most importantly, being an example. To be an example, to go out there and walk the walk."³
The actor said his faith journey and commitment to making amends for past mistakes guide how he raises his children.
Family Plan 2 Lets Wahlberg Play Action Hero Dad
Wahlberg's new movie The Family Plan 2 gives him a chance to combine his action star credentials with family-friendly content his kids can actually watch.
The Apple TV film premiered November 21 and follows Wahlberg's character Dan Morgan as he takes his family on a European Christmas vacation that goes sideways when a figure from his covert past shows up.⁴
"Well, really always focusing on the dad aspect. I think that's the thing that's much more relatable," Wahlberg said. "Look, we've got bigger, better action, better backdrop, you know, these really glamorous locations. But it comes down to again, it's a character-driven movie where people can relate to the family dynamic."⁴
The film co-stars Michelle Monaghan as Wahlberg's wife and Kit Harington as the villain.
It's exactly the kind of movie Wahlberg can watch with his kids without worrying about inappropriate content — even if they spend the whole time making fun of his Boston accent and arguing that Jason Bourne would destroy him.
For Wahlberg, that's just another night with the family.
¹ Janelle Ash, "Mark Wahlberg's kids mock his movie roles during family night, joke he could 'never beat Jason Bourne,'" Fox News, November 24, 2025.
² Ibid.
³ Ibid.
⁴ Ibid.
