Boogie Nights the film did many things for many people. It propelled the likes of Mark Wahlberg and John C. Reilly to global audiences, cemented Julianne Moore's place as one of the finest actors of her generation, featured Heather Graham, and gave a much-needed career boost to Burt Reynolds while also showcasing director Paul Thomas Anderson's cinematic abilities.
However Wahlberg, who played big-penised, musclebound and coked-up porn star Dirk Diggler, recently revealed that he has prayed to God to seek forgiveness for his role in the film.
"I just always hope that God is a movie fan and also forgiving, because I've made some poor choices in my past," said Wahlberg, while sat beside Cardinal Blase Cupich - the archbishop of the Catholic Church's Archdiocese of Chicago, who was chosen for his position by Pope Francis.
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Pope Francis: Marky Mark is a big fan. Credit: PA
Wahlberg's appearance in Boogie Nights may have launched him to global audiences, but the actor is devoutly Catholic, and the film's porn theme isn't really on the Catholic Church's approved list. When asked if he'd ever prayed for forgiveness over a movie role, the Ted star said: "Boogie Nights is up there at the top of the list."
He was speaking at an event organised by the Archbishop to encourage more young people into the Catholic Church.
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As one of Hollywood's highest-paid stars, Wahlberg is likely to reach a huge audience, but he also hopes to reach out to those drawn towards crime and drugs, having learned from his own experiences. Wahlberg developed a cocaine habit in his teens and spent a spell in youth reform prison after blinding a Vietnamese shop keeper in one eye.
Credit: PA
"I've never been shy about sharing my past and the bad decisions I've made and being affiliated with gangs, being incarcerated, so absolutely I think they can identify with me on a personal level, and that's why I've continued to try to do as much as I can to help young people," he told the Chicago Tribune.
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"It's one thing to give money, or to start programs, but to be there and be able to talk to them, and tell them there is someone who has been through the same things they are going through and was able to turn their life around, and turn it into a big positive. That's always important."
Wahlberg also revealed during the talk that he prays before going to bed, at the stunningly early time of 7.30pm. This may go some way towards explaining why Marky Mark is in such good physical shape. Please enjoy this video of a trout admiring his physique:
Looks like those early nights genuinely do him the world of good. Watch his thighs!
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Words: Ronan O'Shea
Topics: TV and Film, Film and TV, Celebrity, Mark Wahlberg
