Celebrity Extra: Mark Wahlberg

By Dana Jackson

Q: Is Mark Wahlberg really bald in his new movie “Flight Risk,” or is he wearing a bald cap? He looks like George Costanza from “Seinfeld.” -- N.W.

A: That's no bald cap or special effects. Mark Walhberg really did shave off the top of his hair for his latest movie role as a pilot who transports a prisoner (Topher Grace) cross-country to testify against a mafia group. It was Walhberg's idea to fully commit to the role with daily shavings and leaving "the horseshoe around the sides."

Mark Wahlberg stars in Mel Gibson's "Flight Risk." Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate

Walhberg told People magazine that the best part about his temporary look was seeing his wife's face the first time he took off his hat. The movie, which was directed by Mel Gibson and also stars Michelle Dockery ("Downton Abbey"), was originally set for release in 2024 but got moved back to Jan. 24.

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Q:  I saw an ad for a new show that looks really good. It's about prisoners breaking free, but I can't recall the name of it. When does it come out? -- B.F.

A: You're thinking of the upcoming NBC drama "The Hunting Party," which premiered on Jan. 19. The premise follows a group of prisoners who escape after their underground top-secret prison (known as The Pit) blows up. The hunters in this case are a small team of investigators assembled to "capture the most dangerous killers our country has ever seen."

The search team includes a former FBI profiler played by Melissa Roxburgh ("Manifest"), a prison guard played by Josh McKenzie ("La Brea"), and a CIA agent played by Patrick Sabongui ("The Flash"). Among the deadly escapees are a serial killer played by Tobias Jelinek ("Stranger Things"), who Roxburgh's character initially helped put away for his crimes.

JJ Bailey, one of the show's creators, explains that there's enough plot besides escaped prisoners to engage viewers for several seasons. He claims that by the end of the season, it "turns out there's much more going on."

He further explains, "We talk a lot about what was going on at the Pit as being sort of ... this octopus with many tentacles. In the end of season 1, we sort of chop one off only to realize there's more, and there definitely is someone behind the explosion at the Pit with an ulterior motive that we'll uncover hopefully seasons ... down the road."

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Q: Will there be some kind of benefit concert to help the victims of the California Wildfires? -- K.K.

A: Yes, there is a concert in the works that is expected to air live on Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. PT (3 p.m. ET) from two different venues: the Kia Forum and the Intuit Dome. Details can be found at FireAidLA.org, but artists who are scheduled to perform include Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, No Doubt, P!nk, Sting, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Joni Mitchell, Lady Gaga, Jelly Roll, Earth, Wind & Fire, plus many more!

Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

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