You’ve seen him shirtless in Boogie Nights. You’ve seen the Calvin Klein ads that literally defined the '90s. But even if you’ve stared at Mark Wahlberg’s abs for a cumulative ten hours of your life, you might have missed a tiny detail.
The man has an extra nipple.
It’s not a rumor. It’s not some weird "Mandela Effect" thing where we all just collective hallucinated a third nub. Mark Wahlberg has been remarkably chill about his Mark Wahlberg third nipple for decades, even going so far as to call it his "prized possession" in interviews. Honestly, in an industry where people spend thousands to "fix" every perceived flaw, there’s something kinda refreshing about a global superstar who just lets his accessory anatomy hang out.
What is a supernumerary nipple, anyway?
Medically, what Mark has is called a supernumerary nipple. Or polythelia, if you want to sound fancy at a cocktail party. Basically, it’s an extra nipple that forms along the "milk line"—that’s the embryonic path from the armpit down to the groin where breast tissue can potentially develop.
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Humans usually only get two. But nature is weird.
About 1 in 18 men and 1 in 50 women are born with at least one extra. They often look like small moles or freckles, which is why most people don't even realize they have one until a doctor points it out. In Wahlberg’s case, it’s located just below his left primary nipple.
Why do they happen?
It’s all about the womb. During the fourth week of pregnancy, a fetus develops these thickened strips of tissue. Normally, they disappear everywhere except the chest. Sometimes, a little piece stays behind. That’s how you end up with a Mark Wahlberg third nipple.
There are actually eight different types of these things, ranging from "Class 1" (a full extra breast with milk-producing tissue) to "Class 8" (just a patch of hair). Mark’s falls into the more common categories—it’s small, non-functional, and mostly just sits there being a conversation starter.
The Marky Mark era and the "Dope" factor
Back in the early '90s, when he was still Marky Mark, the extra nipple was already a bit of a legend. In his 1992 autobiography, he didn't try to hide it. He called it "dope" and "unique."
Think about the confidence that takes. Most 20-year-olds are terrified of having a zit, let alone a third nipple. But Wahlberg leaned into it.
From the Funky Bunch to the A-List
Even as he transitioned from a rapper with a penchant for dropping his pants to a serious, Oscar-nominated actor, the nipple stayed. He never had it removed. Why would he? It’s part of the brand now.
It’s even caused some funny moments on set. During the filming of Boogie Nights, where Wahlberg played Dirk Diggler, he famously wore a massive prosthetic... well, you know. But while the other appendage was fake, the third nipple was 100% authentic.
Other celebrities in the "Triple Nipple Club"
Mark isn't the only one. Not even close. If you started a club for famous people with extra bits, the guest list would be pretty impressive:
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- Harry Styles: He actually has four. He’s been very open about it, joking that he must have had a twin that disappeared.
- Tilda Swinton: She calls hers her "witch's mark."
- Lily Allen: She once showed hers off on live television.
- Carrie Underwood: She actually had hers removed early in her career because she was self-conscious about it.
It's way more common than people think. You might even have one and just think it's a weird birthmark.
Why people are still obsessed with it
We live in a world of filters and AI-generated perfection. Seeing a guy who is basically the poster child for fitness and "alpha" energy embrace a minor physical anomaly is fascinating. It humanizes him.
The Mark Wahlberg third nipple is a reminder that even the people we think are "perfect" have quirks. It doesn't make him less of a leading man; if anything, it makes the "Mark Wahlberg" story a bit more interesting.
Is it a health risk?
Usually, no. Most supernumerary nipples are totally benign. However, because they are made of breast tissue, they can technically be subject to the same issues as regular breasts—like cysts or, in very rare cases, cancer. Most doctors just say to keep an eye on them like you would a mole.
Mark clearly isn't worried. He's been shirtless in dozens of movies, from The Fighter to Pain & Gain, and he’s never bothered to airbrush it out or hide it with makeup.
What you can learn from Mark's extra nipple
If you’ve got a "flaw" or a weird physical trait that makes you feel self-conscious, take a page out of the Wahlberg playbook.
Embrace the quirk. Whether it's a gap in your teeth, a weird birthmark, or an extra nipple, these things are what make people memorable. Mark Wahlberg didn't become a superstar despite his third nipple; he became one because he had the confidence to not care about it.
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Next Steps for You:
- Check your "moles": If you have a spot along your "milk line" (from armpit to groin) that looks a bit like a tiny nipple, it might just be one.
- Talk to a derm: If you're genuinely worried about a growth, get it checked. Not because it’s a nipple, but because skin health matters.
- Own your look: If Mark can be a global sex symbol with three nipples, you can definitely rock whatever unique trait you're rocking today.