10 Key Takeaways from Mark Wahlberg’s 1992 Autobiography ‘Marky Mark’

Long before earning acclaim as an actor in films by Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights) and Martin Scorsese (The Departed), Wahlberg rose to fame as a rapper and Calvin Klein underwear model under the moniker Marky Mark. He toured with his group, the Funky Bunch, and scored a major hit with the single “Good Vibrations.”

Following the trend of many 1990s stars, Wahlberg penned his own memoir. In 1992, he teamed up with photographer Lynn Goldsmith to release Marky Mark, a visually rich exploration of his 21-year-old self, focusing on his passions for women, fitness, and music. Here’s what stood out.

1. The book opens with a humorous dedication to his own anatomy.

Typically, books are dedicated to family members, friends, or professional peers. However, Marky Mark chose to dedicate his to his male organ. His words were, “I wanna dedicate this book to my dick.”

2. The Funky Bunch was formed prior to Marky Mark’s rise.

Donnie Wahlberg, Mark’s brother and a former member of New Kids on the Block, revealed that he conceptualized the Funky Bunch rap group before Mark’s music career began. “I had already chosen that name for a group,” Donnie explained. “I didn’t want him standing alone on stage as a white rapper. I aimed to create a dynamic performance with plenty of energy, ensuring it stood out from the rest.”

A member of the Funky Bunch suggested that Donnie could have taken the group for himself. “It might as well have been Donnie Don and the Funky Bunch,” he remarked.

3. The Funky Bunch accurately assumed that their fans were primarily drawn to Marky Mark’s physique.

In Marky Mark, Funky Bunch member Hector Barros is quoted saying the audience might not be there for the music. “We put on a great performance, but I believe many young girls are more captivated by Mark’s appearance than his lyrics or our act,” he stated. “It’s mostly about that.” (Hector was widely known by his stage name, Hector the Booty Inspector.)

4. Marky Mark never felt the need to vie with his brother for female attention.

“Donnie always attracted the girls because he had the money,” Marky Mark remarked. “We’ve had our share of luck with women. While we often have similar tastes, we never pursue the same ones.”

5. Mark and Donnie had differing opinions on who came up with Mark’s stage name.

“He claims he did it,” Marky Mark said. “Well … it’s debatable, but I’m the only one who responds to that name. The only one earning from it.”

6. Marky Mark expressed regret over his Sylvester and Tweety tattoo.

Marky Mark was questioned about his tattoo of Sylvester the Cat and Tweety from Looney Tunes. “I chose it to hide a previous tattoo,” he explained. (A self-done playing card.) He called it “corny” and added, “I regret it because it’s permanent. If I ever do something wrong, they can identify me by it.”

7. Marky Mark has an extra nipple.

Despite frequently appearing shirtless on stage and in movies, it’s easy to miss that Marky Mark has a third nipple. “It’s cool,” he said. “It’s unique … it’s awesome.”

8. Marky Mark understood the importance of education.

Marky Mark quit high school, but it’s clear he later felt remorse. “With education, you can manipulate and outsmart anyone in life,” he said. “You know how to use it to your benefit and outplay others.” (He eventually returned to earn his diploma at 42.)

9. Marky Mark’s habit of pulling down his pants during performances bothered his mother.

Marky Mark’s signature act of performing in his underwear didn’t sit well with his mother, Alma. “When I first heard he dropped his pants, I asked, ‘Why do you have to do that?’” she recalled. “I even offered him suspenders and belts to keep them up. But I knew he wore running shorts underneath, so it wasn’t too shocking for me.”

10. Marky Mark was uncertain about his future.

“I’m still figuring out what I want to do with my life,” Mark admitted. Just two years later, he made his film debut in 1994’s Renaissance Man. By 1995, he was sharing the screen with Leonardo DiCaprio in The Basketball Diaries. By 1998, he had fully retired from music.

Although Wahlberg later expressed feeling “embarrassed” by his music career, it had no negative impact on his acting success. His movies have earned more than $5 billion globally at the box office.