Mark Wahlberg Opens Up About His Experience on The Departed: ‘I Was a Little Pissed About a Couple Things’

Mark Wahlberg recently revealed some behind-the-scenes tensions from his time on Martin Scorsese’s critically acclaimed 2006 film, The Departed. The actor, known for his sharp portrayal of Sgt. Sean Dignam, shared candid thoughts about his role and some frustrations he experienced while filming the movie, which also featured an ensemble cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Vera Farmiga, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, and Alec Baldwin.

“I was a little pissed about a couple things,” Wahlberg confessed, noting that his original involvement in the project was supposed to play out quite differently. For one, the actor said he had been slated to play another part in the film and was initially supposed to receive more compensation for his work. However, circumstances changed, leaving him to adjust his expectations. “Originally, I was supposed to get paid,” Wahlberg said, hinting at a shift in plans that left him feeling slightly disgruntled.

The situation was further complicated by Wahlberg’s filming schedule. He had lined up another project, Invincible, right after The Departed, a factor that impacted his appearance on set. “I was trying to grow my hair out, which is why I had that weird hair,” Wahlberg explained, referencing the unusual hairstyle his character sported in the film. His efforts to juggle both roles eventually led to some humorous but frustrating moments.

Wahlberg noted that the film’s challenging dynamics were understandable, given the star-studded cast and the demands on Scorsese as director. “Marty had to deal with Jack, he had to deal with Matt and Leo and Alex and everything, the studio and everybody else who was in the cast,” Wahlberg said, emphasizing the pressures of managing such a high-profile group. Initially, he was only supposed to be on set for five weeks, allowing him to quickly transition to Invincible.

But things didn’t go quite as planned. After filming Invincible, Wahlberg returned to the set of The Departed with hair extensions, which had taken eight hours to put in. To his dismay, he was asked to remove them. “So we had a couple issues,” he said with a laugh, acknowledging the small battles over hair that often occur behind the scenes.

Despite these hurdles, Wahlberg ultimately embraced his role as Sgt. Dignam, a character who brought a sharp, no-nonsense edge to the film’s complex storyline. “I think when I read that particular role, I was like, ‘OK, this is a good role. This is an opportunity for me to really go off and have some fun,’” Wahlberg said. And that he did—his performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, cementing his place as a standout in The Departed’s all-star lineup.

In the end, Wahlberg’s frustrations turned into a valuable learning experience, and his portrayal of Dignam became a fan-favorite, remembered for its biting dialogue and intensity. The Departed, which won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Scorsese, continues to be a landmark film, and Wahlberg’s part in it—both on and off screen—remains an intriguing chapter in the film’s legacy.