Mark Wahlberg: “Fatherhood made me a man”

Oscar-nominated actor Mark Wahlberg, 35, who is to appear in the new movie, Shooter, talked about being a father to Ella Rae, 3 1/2, and Michael, who turns one tomorrow, his kids with longtime girlfriend Rhea Durham. Mark told OK! Magazine,

I thought I was a man the day they locked the jail door on me, but it was really probably when I had my first child. Whether I wanted to be or not, I was a man and I needed to assume full responsibility for this living, breathing, beautiful little thing.

What made you finally ‘feel like an adult’?

In addition, Mark gives credit where credit is due:

I’ve changed some diapers and done some baths! We tuck in and we read, but Mommy is doing more of the diaper duty and the bathing, that’s for sure. Let’s not try to take any credit away from how great a job Mommy is doing, but yes, I have done both.

Do you feel like your partner appreciates what you do for your children?

Click below for more interview highlights.

Mark was asked to rate himself as a father, and he gave himself and 8 or 9. He tells OK! Magazine,
"With work it’s hard because I don’t want to drag my kids from location to location. I don’t get to spend as much time with them as I would like to right now, so that’s obviously my priority. It needs to be the children and not the work."

The actor certainly agrees with the old saying, "A man is not a man until he has a daughter."
"I certainly thought I had it all figured out, but to appreciate women, to make the effort to understand them and give them the respect they deserve you need to have a daughter."

When asked what he would like his kids to inherit from him.
"Values, morals, discipline, a love of the Lord, and everything that I can ever make in my lifetime."

When asked whether he misses anything from his bachelor days, he replied,
"Every once in a while, I’m curious about what the boys are up to after 11 at night, but there’s nothing better than being woken up to the sound of my children. There’s nothing better."

With a beautiful family, Will Mark and Rhea ever get married?
"We’re just taking our time. We have a genuine love and we care for one another and, of course, our children strengthen that about a million times."

Source: OK! Magazine, March 26, 2007 issue