Mark Wahlberg is a name that inspires respect and awe in today’s film industry. However, the famous actor’s humble beginnings were far from perfect. In fact, looking back today, he regrets being the person he once was when he was young.

In 2013, Wahlberg appeared in Michael Bay’s film Pain & Gaina story inspired by the real crimes of the Sun Gym gang. Working on this film caused the Transformers Star to reflect on his past life.

Pain & Gain made Mark Wahlberg think back to his younger days

Mark Wahlberg has openly acknowledged his troubled past and expressed regret for his actions. During his teenage years, he was involved in various criminal activities.

Michael Bay’s Pain & Gain is a story about a group of former bodybuilding convicts who committed heinous crimes in Miami in the mid-1990s. Wahlberg played Daniel Lugo, one of the convicts in the film. The film made him look back on his own history with law and order.

In an interview with Husam Asi he said:

I didn’t want to go back there. I didn’t have anything and I saw people who had what I wanted, so I just went and tried to get it. As a young person trying to get it the quick and easy way, I made some very bad decisions.

Wahlberg has opened a new chapter with his entry into acting. He has spoken very openly about his own transformation and his commitment to his religion. He has come a long way from being a former convict to father of a wonderful family with Rhea Durham and four children.

Michael Bay made Mark Wahlberg use spray tan every week

Pain & Gain was not only a trip down memory lane for Mark Wahlberg, but also physically demanding. Not only did he have to build up a lot of muscle mass to play a bodybuilder, but director Michael Bay also made him look tanned for his role.

However, the tanning process wasn’t really pleasant, as the actor recalled in an interview with Refinery 29:

I don’t do anything really crazy as far as training goes. But the craziest and most uncomfortable thing I did was that I had to take a tanning shower every week for this film. I don’t like the sun, it’s not good for me, but Michael insisted that I get as tan as possible.

So he let me get a tan. I did it on the balcony of my hotel room on the 17th floor! You would think that you would be spared from all the cameras and paparazzi here, and then I was photographed tanning in my underwear. Not a pretty sight.

Mark Wahlberg is known for his impressive physique and grueling workouts, so maintaining a regular workout routine was a no-brainer for him. However, getting a tan every week definitely sounds like too much, even for someone as eccentric as Michael Bay!

From 18 August 2024 Pain & Gain is available to stream on Outstanding+.