Mark Wahlberg Details Finding a ‘Balance’ Between Fatherhood and Staying Creatively Fulfilled (Exclusive)

Mark Wahlberg is trying his best to have it all.

In addition to finding success in Hollywood on the big screen, the actor also works hard to be the best father to his four kids with his wife, Rhea Durham.

“For me, everything I do now, it’s for my kids. It’s for their future,” Wahlberg, 54, exclusively shared with Us Weekly at Amazon’s Play Dirty world premiere on Wednesday, September 24. “I try to find that balance. They came to Australia while I was making this movie to visit.

While stepping out at the SVA Theater in New York City, Wahlberg had the support of several family members, including his four children, Ella, 22, Michael, 19, Brendan, 17 and Grace, 15.

“[I’m] trying to find that balance of spending quality time with them,” Mark explained to Us, “and then also being able to fulfill my creative endeavors.”

Play Dirty is described by Amazon Prime Video as an action-packed thriller from director Shane Black. Parker (Mark), along with Grofield (LaKeith Stanfield), Zen (Rosa Salazar) and a skilled crew stumble onto a score that pits them against the New York mob.

When asked if his kids are impressed by dad being an action star, Mark tried his best to play it cool.

“Ehh, a little bit,” he said. “Here and there. Every once in a while.”

Before the New York City premiere, Mark’s kids were able to watch the movie in Paris. The actor said he got bonus points when he helped his daughters meet one special costar.

“I introduced my daughters to LaKeith Stanfield, who they adore and are huge fans of,” he said. “Then that’s cool for a little bit.”

Throughout his career, Mark has had a variety of roles in hits like Ted, Boogie Nights and The Departed.

While his latest film is full of action, Mark assured fans that there’s so much more than just the epic stunts.

“Jumping out of the window, getting shot, all of that stuff. I’ll do whatever is required of me,” Mark told Us. “But for me, it was much more about making sure that we took the Parker character, elevate it, and I made it my own. I got a lot of help from the writers because the comedy is so strong in this movie, and the other ones really lacked comedy. I think that’s how we differentiate ourselves, but still staying true to the essence of who Parker was.”

Movie projects aside, Mark previously opened up to Us about raising four children while also being a famous actor.

According to both Mark and his wife, their kids focus less on the lights and cameras and more on the hard work both parents showcase day after day.

“It’s a nonissue for them. They only pull the ‘Dad’s famous’ card when they want to go to a concert or meet someone famous,” the actor told Us in 2018. “They see me as dad and that’s all I want. They see it as more of a pain when we are being followed on the street, but they deal with it really well and I’m proud of them.”

Durham added, “They see how hard their dad and I work and how busy we both are running the day-to-day life we lead. … The kids see both of us always working harder than anyone else they know. Instilling a strong work ethic is so important to us.”

Play Dirty premieres on Amazon Prime Video Wednesday, October 1.