James M. Wahlberg (born August 19, 1965)^[1] is an American film producer and screenwriter.

Early life

Wahlberg was born in Dorchester, a neighborhood of Boston, to Donald and Alma Elaine Wahlberg. He is the fifth of nine children, with siblings Arthur, Paul, Robert, Tracey, Michelle, Debbie, Donnie, and Mark.^[2] As a young person, Jim was in-and-out of juvenile detention centers and became briefly homeless when he was twelve years old.^[1] Throughout his teens, Wahlberg struggled with drug and alcohol addiction every day of his life and he lived essentially on his own.^[1] Wahlberg's criminal record grew to include arrests for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct which then led to two jail sentences before the age of twenty-two.^[3] While in prison after being convicted of armed robbery, Wahlberg found faith in God, and began to end his addiction to alcohol (which he had regularly consumed since he was eight) and drugs (which he had regularly consumed since he was ten).^[3] After exiting prison, he became an advocate for individuals suffering from addiction and hoped to help addicts escape the cycle of addiction.^[3]

Career

Film and television

Wahlberg followed suit like brothers Mark and Donnie and entered the film industry through the creation of Wahl St. Productions, a film, television, and web content production company.^[4] Wahl St. Productions is credited for films such as The Circle of Addiction: A Different Kind of Tears (2018), If Only (2015), and What About the Kids? (2020).^{[5][better source needed]} The films showcase the harsh realities of addiction and have featured family members of people who have died of an accidental overdose as extras and actors.^[6] What About the Kids? showed the effects of addiction through the lens of a child.^[7] Wahlberg's films and documentaries aim to dissolve the stigma of addiction and substance abuse.^{[citation needed]}

Walhberg is also known for being a personality on the A&E show "Wahlburgers" which took a deep dive into the lives and families behind the successful restaurant chain.^[4] A special episode featured Wahlberg as he successfully ran the Boston Marathon in tribute to those that lost their lives in the Boston Marathon Bombing a year prior.^{[8][better source needed]} In 2015, an exclusive Wahlburgers episode aired the Festival of Families celebration in Philadelphia, where Jim and brothers Donnie and Mark met with Pope Francis, thus furthering Wahlberg's relationship with his faith.^{[9][failed verification]}

Wahlberg is an executive producer of The Lookalike starring Justin Long. He is credited as an executive producer on Wahl Street, a docu-series that aired in 2021 on HBO Max that followed his brother Mark Wahlberg's business interests.^[10] Jim was featured on the long-running Christian Broadcasting Network The 700 Club twice.^{[8][11][better source needed]}

Writing

Wahlberg wrote his first book in August 2020, debuting his memoir The Big Hustle: A Boston Street Kid's Story of Addiction and Redemption.^[12][13] The book summarizes the struggles of his drug addiction and the redemption story of his faith.^{[14][better source needed]} The memoir debuted to praise from critics for its brutal honesty and transparent storytelling and was sold out on Amazon in the first week.^{[15][better source needed]} Jim Caviezel wrote the foreword to the book.^[12]

Personal life

Wahlberg married long-time girlfriend Bernarda aka Bennie in 1988.^[16] The couple live in South Florida and have three children: son Daniel Wahlberg (b.1997) and fraternal twins Jeff and Kyra (b.2001).^{[citation needed]} S=His son Jeff is an actor and has appeared in films such as Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019), Cherry (2021), and Future World (2018).^{[citation needed]}

Wahlberg is a devout Catholic; in an interview on The Catholic Talk Show, he gave all praise and credit to Jesus Christ, and the Catholic Church for his life.^[17]

Wahlberg is also the host of The Bottom Line, a podcast that highlights the stories of individuals and their struggles and eventual breakthroughs with addiction.^[1] The show featured athletes and entertainers such as Darryl Strawberry, Chris Mullins, and Brandon Novak,.^[16]

Wahlberg has been outspoken about the need for additional recovery and 12 step options during the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2020, he wrote an opinion piece in USA Today about the dangers of isolation and addiction amid the pandemic.^[7][18] In an interview with Raymond Arroyo for Eternal Word Television Network, Wahlberg opens up about his history of crime, abuse, and meeting Mother Teresa while in prison; he states "It was the absolute most defining moment in my life, it's the moment that everything changed for me."^[19]

Wahlberg currently serves as the executive director of the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation (MWYF) which was created to improve the quality of life for inner-city kids.^[16]

Filmography

• The Lookalike
• If Only
• The Circle of Addiction: A Different Kind of Tears
• What About the Kids?
• Wahlburgers
• Wahl Street
• I Played the Giants on a Monday Night
• Toyed
• Instant Gratification
• A Feeling from Within