Actor Mark Wahlberg arrives for a boxing news conference in Hollywood, California March 30, 2009. The event was promoting the May 2 match between Ricky Hatton of England and Manny Pacquiao of Philippines.[Agencies]

Mark Wahlberg was rushed to hospital on Friday (14.07.09) after inhaling fake smoke.

The Hollywood actor was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital after breathing in too much of the foggy gas, which was being pumped from a smoke machine to add atmosphere on the set of his new movie 'The Fighter' last Thursday (13.08.09).

The 38-year-old star was "gasping for breath" when he woke up the next morning and was rushed to the medical centre where he was linked up to a breathing machine to clear his lungs.

A set source said: "Apparently he breathed in too much smoke." Wahlberg was released later that day and immediately returned to work on the film set.

The forthcoming film is based on the life of Boston boxer 'Irish' Mickey Ward, who is played by Wahlberg. He co-stars with Christian Bale, who will portray Ward's trainer and half-brother Dicky Eklund, and 'Doubt' beauty Amy Adams.

Wahlberg recently admitted he had been training for "several years" for the role after the project suffered several delays. It is due for release in 2011.