How Mark Wahlberg Convinced Tom Brady to Film a Hilarious, Risqué Cameo in Ted 2!

In the irreverent world of Ted 2, Tom Brady made a memorable appearance that became one of the film’s standout comedic moments. The scene, which humorously involves a sperm sample, perfectly fits the R-rated, no-holds-barred humor that Ted 2 is known for. But how did Brady, one of the most recognizable athletes of all time, get convinced to join a film that involved such a risqué plot? The answer lies in the long-standing friendship between Brady and Ted 2 star Mark Wahlberg, a relationship that played a pivotal role in securing the NFL quarterback’s cameo.

The Friendship Behind the Cameo

Mark Wahlberg and Tom Brady share a close personal bond, with Wahlberg being an outspoken fan of Brady and often seen supporting him at New England Patriots games. Their friendship would prove invaluable when it came to convincing Brady to participate in Ted 2, the sequel to the 2012 comedy about a foul-mouthed, living teddy bear.

Wahlberg, who had already pitched the concept of Ted to Brady during the production of the first film, initially faced some resistance. Brady, skeptical about the idea of an R-rated movie featuring a talking bear, was not entirely convinced. As Wahlberg recalled in a 2011 interview, “He just kind of had the same reaction that everyone else did. That this was kind of ridiculous, that I was probably taking like 10 steps back in my career doing this but maybe I’ll figure it out. But then he saw the movie and he got it.”

By the time Ted 2 was in the works, the concept of the franchise had already won over Brady. With the success of the first film and Brady’s understanding of its comedic tone, Wahlberg was able to approach his friend directly with the pitch for the sequel.

The Pitch: A Laughing Matter

Wahlberg’s approach to Brady for Ted 2 was simple but effective. As detailed in an interview with USA TODAY, Wahlberg called Brady to propose the idea of a cameo where Ted and John (Wahlberg’s character) attempt to steal a sperm sample from the legendary quarterback. According to the article, Wahlberg described Brady’s initial response: “So when I called him, I told him what it was. As soon as he stopped laughing hysterically, he agreed to do it. Right away.”

Brady’s reaction was one of laughter, a sign that he found the concept amusing and was open to poking fun at his own image as a handsome, successful football star. Brady, known for his often-perfect public persona, found the idea of playing along with the film’s absurd humor to be a welcome break from the serious public expectations placed on him as an athlete.

The cameo would feature Brady showing off his football skills in a hilarious moment, tossing Ted in a perfect spiral and physically tossing Wahlberg’s character over a railing. Brady’s willingness to take part in this comedic set piece was a direct result of his trust in Wahlberg and his sense of humor about how people perceive him.

Assurance of Tastefulness

While the premise of the scene involved a sperm sample, a potentially sensitive subject, Wahlberg assured Brady that the scene would be handled tastefully. While there are no direct quotes from Wahlberg stating this, it is clear from their friendship and the context of the film that Wahlberg was mindful of Brady’s concerns. The USA TODAY article notes that Brady trusted Wahlberg’s judgment and was comfortable with how the scene would be portrayed: “He was a good sport about it,” which indicates that Brady was assured the scene would fit within the playful, yet not overly offensive, tone of the Ted franchise.

Wahlberg, as a producer and a key figure in Ted 2, was well-versed in the film’s humor and knew exactly how to pitch Brady in a way that would appeal to his sense of fun. By emphasizing the light-hearted and comedic nature of the cameo, Wahlberg ensured Brady felt comfortable with participating in the scene.

Brady’s Public Image and the Cameo’s Execution

Brady’s willingness to mock his public image was an important aspect of the cameo. Known for being a highly scrutinized figure in the media, Brady has occasionally spoken about the silliness of how people react to his fame. As he mentioned in an interview with USA TODAY, “He thinks it’s silly the way people react to him sometimes. When people make a big deal about it. He just thought it was good to joke out of the whole thing.” This perspective made him an ideal participant for the scene, where he could humorously mock the obsession with his image and athletic prowess.

The result was a hilarious cameo that mixed Brady’s trademark athleticism with the film’s irreverent humor. Brady’s portrayal of himself in Ted 2 added an extra layer of charm to the scene, as his comedic timing and willingness to play along with the absurdity of the situation made it all the more memorable for audiences.

Conclusion

Tom Brady’s cameo in Ted 2 is a testament to the power of friendship and humor in making unexpected collaborations work. Through his long-standing relationship with Mark Wahlberg, Brady was convinced to step out of his comfort zone and participate in a scene that humorously poked fun at his public persona. The success of the cameo hinged on Wahlberg’s knowledge of Brady’s personality, as well as Brady’s ability to laugh at himself, making it a perfect fit for the comedic tone of the Ted franchise. In the end, what began as a pitch for an absurd idea became one of the film’s most memorable moments, thanks to a good-natured quarterback and a hilarious script.