Mark Wahlberg was emotional when talking about his late mom, Alma, during an appearance on TODAY's 3rd hour on Monday, October 10.
The beloved matriarch of the Wahlberg family died in April 2021, and the 51-year-old Hollywood star revealed that he keeps the memory of his mother alive by regularly listening to her old voicemails and other recordings.
The "Boogie Nights" actor told Sheinelle Jones, who interviewed Alma Wahlberg in a 2018 episode of "Through Mom's Eyes," that his mother touched everybody she met.
Alma was the true meaning of the word matriarch
Jones echoed Mark's sentiment, saying that she changed her life when recalling her experience with her. She said that the interview with Alma, which was only supposed to last for just 20 to 30 minutes, ended up lasting for hours.
Jones, who has three children of her own, said in the TODAY interview that for her, she was the true meaning of the word matriarch. She noted that Alma always talked about how her son Mark would call her every day. Jones added that Alma would then say, "Call your mother. I can't do her accent."
Wahlberg was impressed when hearing that, saying that it was pretty good and better than most of the people in "The Departed" that were not from Boston. He, of course, was referring to the Oscar-winning 2006 movie that Martin Scorsese directed.
Wahlberg said that his mother was the true definition of hard work, explaining that she did what she had to do to provide for her nine children. He said that his mom was truly an inspiration.
He told Jones that she caught her off guard by pulling out that one, and he would watch that interview just so he could see her face. He explained that all he has now is the recordings and voicemails she left him, and he often listens to them.
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Wahlberg churning out hits on Netflix
Wahlberg shared the advice he now tells everybody he knows whose parents are still alive. He said that he reminds them to call their parents every day, tell them how much they love them, and be there and connect with them as much as possible.
Wahlberg has been in three films so far this year, and all of them have proven to be huge hits on streaming giant Netflix, according to ComicBook.com. Sony's "Uncharted," which starred Tom Holland and Wahlberg, was a mainstay on the Netflix Top 10 for several weeks after the movie was added to the roster of the streamer.
Wahlberg's other 2022 movies can be found on the Netflix Top 10 this week, one of which is now occupying the top spot. "Father Stu" sits at No. 1 while "Me Time" is ranked No. 9, weeks after its debut.