The legacy of Mark Wahlberg is one that is defined by numerous undeniably great action flicks and a debatable collection of commercially successful rap music.

But under all the layers of Hollywood fame and glory, there lies – as has become common among numerous celebrities around the world – a string of controversies dire enough to trample them into oblivion.

Wahlberg is no different from the traits that distinguish great men from regular ones by having such similar skeletons in the closet.

Mark Wahlberg’s Shady Past Comes Into the Light

The formative years of most actors are defined by great accomplishments in the field of the cultural arts.

Be it drama or an inclination toward film studies or a small part in community theatres, almost all the actors in the industry seem to have been immersed in artistic endeavors in the early years before turning their gaze toward Hollywood.

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg, although musically gifted, did not share a similar affinity toward the creative genre in his youth. Instead, the actor in his teenage years was involved in a rough-and-tough gang with a borderline racist personality.

The dark attitude rose to the surface in the ugliest fashion, when, at the age of 16, Wahlberg got involved in a fight that resulted in Johnny Trinh, the victim of his attack, getting injured in his left eye, and being subjected to hurled racial slurs from the then-teenager.

Mark Wahlberg was sentenced to 2 years in prison for attempted murder, but he served only 45 days for being a minor at the time.

Mark Wahlberg and Johnny Trinh Reconcile After Attack

Years after Mark Wahlberg shot to Hollywood fame, the actor found a chance to sit with Johnny Trinh and reconcile their past differences despite the fact that the 45-day prison term was not nearly close to the 2-year sentence he was asked to serve. In the aftermath, Trinh claimed:
“I was not blinded by Mark Wahlberg … he did hurt me, but my left eye was already gone. He was not responsible for that. He was young and reckless, but I forgive him now.

Everyone deserves another chance. I would like to see him get a pardon. He should not have the crime hanging over him any longer. He paid for his crime when he went to prison.”

Johnny Trinh [via Daily Mail]

Mark Wahlberg, too, recollected the incident from his adolescence and stated during a Q&A session with The Wrap:

“I didn’t need that. I spent 28 years righting the wrong … I was relieved to find out that the injuries to his eye had occurred in the early ’70s and not from the incident that happened that night … But I was able to meet with him and his wife and his daughter and apologize for those horrific acts. Some good did come out of it.”

In the years since the attack that could have potentially ruined Mark Wahlberg’s entire life, the would-be actor decided to set himself right by not only repenting for his crimes but giving back to the community every chance he got.

Aside from the numerous charities and foundations to which he contributes, including the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, the actor has also been donating to food and shelter hubs.

Currently, he focuses on his family as the Spenser Confidential actor made a major move from Hollywood to Las Vegas in an attempt to shun the intense media exposure in favor of “giving the kids a chance to thrive.”