Mark Wahlberg’s Unbelievable Diet: 11,000 Calories a Day for One of His Worst Movies

Mark Wahlberg has never shied away from diving headfirst into a role, but his approach to preparing for Father Stu was anything but ordinary. For a film that has been largely dismissed as forgettable, Wahlberg went to eyebrow-raising extremes: consuming up to 11,000 calories a day to gain 30 pounds in six weeks. Despite his dedication, the movie itself didn’t live up to the same level of intensity, leaving audiences and critics wondering if the effort was really worth it.

A Mixed Track Record

Over the years, Wahlberg has built a career filled with both critical triumphs and regrettable missteps. With two Academy Award nominations under his belt—one for his role in The Departed and another as a producer of The Fighter—Wahlberg has demonstrated that he can excel in well-crafted dramas. However, his filmography also includes its fair share of poorly received projects, from Me Time and Daddy’s Home to Max Payne and The Happening.

Father Stu, released in 2022, fell into the category of “well-meaning but forgettable.” Though it wasn’t as universally panned as Me Time, it didn’t leave much of a lasting impression. It was a middle-of-the-road drama, the kind of film that slips from memory shortly after the credits roll. And yet, Wahlberg’s preparation for the role involved a level of commitment often seen in performers taking on more prestigious, transformative projects.

A Grueling Method

Inspired by method actors like Christian Bale—who famously lost 62 pounds for The Machinist and gained 40 pounds for Vice—Wahlberg set out to drastically alter his physique in a short period. To do so, he turned to a grueling diet that peaked at a staggering 11,000 calories per day.

Rather than indulging in “cheat day” foods like pizza and ice cream, Wahlberg followed a strict regimen of protein-packed meals, increasing his carb and sodium intake as the weeks progressed. His daily menu reportedly included glasses of olive oil, a choice that Wahlberg admitted was anything but enjoyable. “None of it was fun, except for the first meal was amazing,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “After that, when you’re already full and you have to eat again, and at my age it’s just not a healthy thing to do.”

Was It Worth It?

Despite his dedication to transforming his body for the role, the payoff for Father Stu was limited. While Wahlberg’s performance was earnest, the film itself didn’t garner widespread acclaim or box-office success. His extreme dietary measures seem disproportionate to the movie’s impact, leading some to question whether such drastic physical transformations are always necessary—particularly when the end result is less than stellar.

The Takeaway

Mark Wahlberg’s dedication to Father Stu reflects a commendable work ethic and a willingness to go the extra mile. However, his intense 11,000-calorie diet and rapid weight gain stand as a curious footnote in a career filled with ups and downs. Ultimately, his approach to Father Stu may serve as a cautionary tale: sometimes the physical transformation isn’t enough to turn a forgettable movie into a memorable one.