Mark Wahlberg Makes Rare Red Carpet Appearance with Wife and All Four Kids at 'Play Dirty' Premiere

The "Shooter" star stepped into the spotlight Wednesday night in a rare full-family appearance, and the internet couldn't stop talking.

Mark Wahlberg brought his wife, Rhea Durham, and their four children to the red carpet premiere of his new action thriller "Play Dirty" in New York City on September 25. The family turned heads and sparked a flurry of emotional and, at times, brutally honest fan reactions.

A Glamorous – and Unexpected – Family Affair

Known for fiercely guarding their family's privacy, Mark and Rhea shocked fans by showing up with all four of their kids, Ella, 22, Michael, 19, Brendan, 17, and Grace, 15, for the event at SVA Theatre.

It marked a rare and touching public moment for a family that usually stays far from the limelight. Rhea and daughter Grace looked elegantly coordinated in black dresses, while eldest daughter Ella stunned in a flowing fuchsia pink silk gown that turned heads.

The boys kept things laid-back in casual attire, reflecting their father's cool, understated look of sweater, khakis, and crisp white sneakers. Mark beamed proudly as he posed for photos, exchanged laughs with fans, and soaked up the attention — with his entire family at his side.

Fans Share Mixed Reactions to Mark's Family Photo

When photos of Mark and his family on the red carpet surfaced online, some fans praised the group while others raised questions.

One person couldn't help but question the family resemblance, "Are the kids adopted? None looks like father or mother." Another one echoed the sentiment, "Did both of their genes just take a back seat when it came to their kids?"

Someone else expressed surprise more bluntly, "Too bad none of them look like him 🤷🏻 ♀️." Of course, not every reaction focused on appearances. One admirer gushed, "Beautiful family ❤️🙌 ❤️." Others shared similar warmth, enthusing, "Wow, the family is so lovely 😍😍."

One fan tagged Wahlberg directly, penning, "Beautiful family @markwahlberg! God bless brother!" Another person left a straightforward compliment, "Wow, beautiful family photo, you and your wife and kids, Mark." And rounding it out, a fan offered enthusiastic praise, "Wow his's family's are so beautiful amazing!!!👍😊😉 [sic]."

Mark Opens Up About Work and Family Dynamics

Mark gave a brief but revealing interview on the red carpet, noting that it had been a while since all of his children were together in the same place. "I'm so excited that all of my kids [are here], because my daughter's been away at school, everybody's kind of doing their own thing at this age," he gushed.

The actor also described the demanding nature of filming in Australia, pointing out the long hours and the challenge of being far from home. During the shoot, however, Rhea Durham and their four children joined him on location, which made the experience more meaningful.

"I think that's the biggest sacrifice, but you know, for me, the action stuff is easy. I've kind of, I've done it all. I'm not worried about doing my own stunts. I'm more worried about bringing this character to life," said Mark.

When asked if his kids were aware of his long-running Hollywood career, the movie star admitted, "Yeah, they think it's all pretty silly."

However, Mark revealed that his family recently watched "Play Dirty" together while spending time in Paris, where he was filming "Family Plan 2." He noted that his kids now enjoy seeing him in roles where he swears and takes on action-packed scenes.

"All the things that they couldn't see when they were kids, they're now allowed to see. And I think they enjoy those more," he noted.

Additionally, Mark said that his children had recently visited him on set in Boston while he was filming and enjoyed the experience, but to them, he is simply their dad. Known for being playful at home, Mark said he often makes fun of himself to keep them laughing.

When the conversation turned to whether any of his children might pursue acting, the actor revealed that one of his sons had brought it up a couple of times.

He recalled asking if the boy wanted to audition for the role of his son in "Family Plan," but the son quickly dismissed the idea. Later, when the sequel came around, the same son admitted he should have taken the chance.

Mark explained that while he wouldn’t stop his kids from following his path, he wouldn't encourage them unless they were serious. He added that if his son treated a film set with the same attitude he sometimes shows when asked to get up for school, "that's not gonna fly."

Mark Wahlberg has also been intentional about supporting his family, just like they show up for him. He even relocated them from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in 2022. He described the adjustment as smooth, saying everyone has settled in comfortably.

"They love Vegas. I spent lots of time in L.A. pursuing my interests and my career and now it's time for them to pursue theirs. Everybody is thriving there, it's been great," he disclosed.

The actor also pointed out that the move came with added benefits, such as access to high-profile residencies and plenty of entertainment. "I saw Adele, I saw Bruno Mars. I've seen quite a few shows and been to lots of great restaurants. There's so much to do in Vegas and it's so exciting," he enthused.

Mark and Rhea are clearly thriving both in their careers and as a family, having learned to prioritize each other and make the most of the time they share.