“Make Sure That’s the End of That”: When Mark Wahlberg Nearly Pushed Jack Nicholson Too Far on The Departed

Most actors would consider it a career highlight to share the screen with Jack Nicholson — and go out of their way to avoid upsetting the three-time Oscar winner. But on the set of Martin Scorsese’s The Departed, Mark Wahlberg came perilously close to doing just that.

Nicholson, by then one of the most revered figures in cinema, had spent much of his later career leaning toward lighter fare, steering clear of the intense darkness that defined many of his earlier roles. Between About Schmidt (2002) and How Do You Know (2010), the only exception was Scorsese’s gritty 2006 crime thriller — where Nicholson’s unhinged Boston mob boss Frank Costello remains one of the film’s most memorable performances.

Wahlberg, cast as foul-mouthed Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Sean Dignam, was at the top of his game. His rapid-fire insults and acerbic delivery earned him the first Oscar nomination of his career for Best Supporting Actor. Scorsese, known for encouraging improvisation, urged Wahlberg to inject more of himself into the role — which led to some unscripted moments that nearly crossed the line.

“I was improvising throughout the movie, and my character, obviously, didn’t have nice things to say about anybody,” Wahlberg told interviewer Jake Hamilton. “So, I said some unpleasantries to Jack and he gave me a look that nobody else gave me.”

The infamous Nicholson glare might have been enough to intimidate most co-stars, but Wahlberg kept pushing. It wasn’t long before Scorsese had to step in.

“And of course, Marty, you know, I did one more,” Wahlberg admitted. “And then they both had a little chat, and then they said, ‘Make sure that’s the end of that.’”

While the exchange never escalated into real animosity, Scorsese’s gentle intervention ensured that Wahlberg dialed it back for the sake of on-set harmony. Still, the moment became part of the film’s behind-the-scenes lore — a rare case where one of Hollywood’s most fearless improvisers nearly pushed one of its most formidable legends too far.

The Departed went on to win four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, cementing its place in crime cinema history. And for Wahlberg, it remains not just a career high point, but also a reminder of the delicate balance between creative freedom and knowing when to quit while you’re ahead — especially when Jack Nicholson is on the receiving end.

If you’d like, I can also put together a behind-the-scenes feature exploring all the unscripted moments in The Departed, including Wahlberg’s improvs and Nicholson’s notorious rat scene. That could make for a compelling companion piece.