Mark Wahlberg Revisits Grocery Store Where He Earned $3.65 An Hour As A Bagger Before His Fame

Apr 19, 2023

Mark Wahlberg, or "Marky Mark," as the world knows him, is an A-list actor, businessman, and former rapper that rose to stardom during the 1990s. During his career in entertainment, he has been nominated for several Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Primetime Emmy Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. 

Wahlberg was born on June 5, 1971, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was born into a large family, and he grew up as the youngest child of nine brothers and sisters. Wahlberg's older brother, Donnie Wahlberg, became a part of the famous boy band New Kids on the Block, and he joined the band at age 13.

Wahlberg was already going down a destructive life path, though. Within a few years of his parent's divorce, he had hit nearly rock bottom. In 1988 Wahlberg served 45 days in jail for violence. Upon getting out of jail, Wahlberg's brother, Donnie, helped him get back on his feet and helped him create his own boy band, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. Threading between music, film, and television, Wahlberg became a prominent celebrity. He appeared in numerous films ranging from comedies to dramas and blockbusters, such as "The Departed," "The Other Guys," "Deepwater Horizon" and the "Transformers" franchise.

But before he was a renowned and celebrated actor, Wahlberg lived a rather humble life and worked hard to get through growing up like any other average American citizen – he worked as a bagger in a grocery store! More than three decades later, Wahlberg took a trip back in memory lane and returned to his workplace, only to see it change so drastically! Read on to learn more about Wahlberg's nostalgic trip. 

In 2008, Mark Wahlberg spoke with The Sun about some of the trouble he got into during his childhood.

"At 12 I was climbing out of the window and staying out all night and by the time I was 13 or 14 I stopped going to school," Wahlberg said. "I was jealous of the kids who went to private school. I thought if you wore one of those uniforms you would have a different life without all the trouble." Wahlberg's trouble caused him to drop out of high school. 

According to the actor, he could not tell his kids to go to school and get a formal education if he, himself, didn't have a diploma in the first place. 

"They'd think, 'You didn't go and you turned out all right'," Wahlberg continued, which prompted the megastar to get his high school diploma. 

Eventually, Wahlberg ventured into music and became a part of New Kids on the Block. At 13, he became one of the band's original members. He eventually quit with his brother Donnie. Danny Wood, Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, and Joey McIntyre all joined the band shortly after they had left.

After leaving the band, he formed Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch in 1990. They had a hit, "Good Vibrations," from their debut album "Music for the People." After making a mark in the music industry, Wahlberg made another breakthrough when he was cast in the television film "The Substitute." However, it wasn't until "Renaissance Man," that he grew prominent in Hollywood. 

To date, Wahlberg is the recipient of two Academy Awards nominations, three Golden Globe Award nominations, 9 Primetime Emmy Awards, 3 SAG Award nominations, and a BAFTA TV Award. He also has 78 acting credits up in his sleeves, both in television and film. 

Wahlberg has since been enjoying his success and hard work. Celebrity Net Worth reports that the 51-year-old actor has a fortune of $400 million, which could be attributed to his work in music, advertising engagements, film, and other business ventures. 

In retrospect of Wahlberg's life, he indeed had worked hard for what he has right now. In an Instagram post on Apr. 12, 2023, the "Ted" actor posted a video of his trip back to Quincy, Massachusetts, for his return to his first ever workplace – where the "hustle started," as he said – in a Stop & Shop Grocery store. 

As he entered the grocery store where he recalled working for $3.65 an hour back in 1988, he met with former work colleagues who warmly greeted and welcomed him back. In one instance, he picked up a paper bag on a counter and asked the customer about her packaging options, as if he was the same bagger 35 years ago who worked in the store. 

The minute people finally noticed and recognized him, Wahlberg graciously took selfies and bonded with his former colleagues. Notably, the same store has been carrying the Wahlburgers hamburger products, which came from the food chain of the same name that he co-owns with his brothers Paul and Donnie. He also starred in a reality TV series of the same name in 2014 with his family. 

Fans were delighted to see Wahlberg back in his humble beginnings. They praised him for his humility and for never forgetting his origins. 

"Gotta remember how you started and where you come from 🙏🏼🫡," a fan shared. 

"The best.Thank you to his mother that raised him right.He never forgot where he came from God bless you mark Wahlberg.Keep doing Gods work🙌🏼" another posted. 

Are you a fan of Mark Wahlberg? What do you think about his humble beginnings? Did you have the same job and hustle as he did when you were younger? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other Mark Wahlberg fans!