6. Mark Wahlberg The Departed (2006)
Now Im not arguing that Wahlberg is a
badactor, not for a second. He can most certainly act in fact, its just that sometimes, he chooses not to (case in point: The Happening). However, what surprised me about Wahlbergs performance in Scorseses incredible Departed was just how highly ranked it was for me in relation to such a sea of highly respected names: Jack Nicholson, Leo DiCaprio, Ray Winstone, Martin Sheen, Matt Damon. Its a sea that could have easily washed Wahlberg completely away. But it doesnt. No, Wahlberg holds on in fact and even though his character, Sergeant Dignam, is featured much less heavily than many of the others, his turn here is still surprisingly stand out. Hes maybe got Scorsese to thank for that; the guy seems to be able to psychically feel out his performers abilities, their energies, directing them to such a masterful degree that even the lamest actor comes off looking like the next potential DeNiro. With so many incredible actors all vying for our attention, its perhaps a testament to Wahlbergs ability that hes easily one of the most memorable supporting characters in a movie that boasts one of the greatest supporting casts of the last ten to fifteen years. You might have initially ignored his name when you saw it on the poster going in but guaranteed, it stood out when you saw it again on your way to the exit.