History of Mark Wahlberg in Timeline

Mark Wahlberg is an American actor, producer, and former rapper, initially known as Marky Mark. He's a versatile leading man with credits in comedy, drama, and action films. Wahlberg's work has earned him a BAFTA Award, along with nominations for Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Primetime Emmy Awards, showcasing his widespread recognition in the entertainment industry.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

June 1986: Racially motivated attack

In June 1986, 15-year-old Mark Wahlberg and three friends chased three black children while yelling racial slurs and throwing rocks at them.

August 1986: Civil action filed for civil rights violation

In August 1986, a civil action was filed against Mark Wahlberg for violating the civil rights of his victims, and he and his friends were issued a civil rights injunction.

1986: Prior civil rights injunction

In 1986, Mark Wahlberg received a prior civil rights injunction which he violated in April 1988 when he committed further assaults.

April 1988: Assault on a Vietnamese-American man

In April 1988, Mark Wahlberg, then 16, assaulted a middle-aged Vietnamese-American man on the street, using racial slurs and knocking him unconscious. Later that day, he attacked another Vietnamese-American man, punching him in the eye. He was arrested for attempted murder.

1988: Racially motivated attacks as a teenager

In 1988, Mark Wahlberg was involved in racially motivated attacks as a teenager.

August 1992: Fractured jaw of his neighbor

In August 1992, Mark Wahlberg fractured the jaw of his neighbor, Robert Crehan, reportedly kicking him repeatedly in the face while another man held the victim on the ground. The lawsuit was settled.

1992: Underwear ads for Calvin Klein

In 1992, Mark Wahlberg displayed his physique in the "Good Vibrations" music video and most prominently in a series of underwear ads for Calvin Klein shot by Herb Ritts. He followed it with Calvin Klein television advertisements.

May 2001: Established Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation

In May 2001, Mark Wahlberg established the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation to raise and distribute funds to youth service and enrichment programs.

September 11, 2001: Changed flight plans before 9/11

On September 11, 2001, Mark Wahlberg was booked to fly on American Airlines Flight 11 but changed his plans the day before to attend the Toronto International Film Festival.

2001: Started dating Rhea Durham

Mark Wahlberg started dating Rhea Durham in 2001.

2006: Desire to make amends

In 2006, Mark Wahlberg stated that he wanted to meet with Johnny Trinh, whom he assaulted in 1988, to make amends for his actions.

August 1, 2009: Marriage to Rhea Durham

On August 1, 2009, Mark Wahlberg married Rhea Durham at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Beverly Hills.

January 2010: Birth of their fourth child

In January 2010, Mark Wahlberg and Rhea Durham had their fourth child, five months after their wedding.

2012: Brand ambassador for Marked

In 2012, Mark Wahlberg became a brand ambassador for Marked, a line of sports nutrition supplements by GNC.

2012: Controversial statement about 9/11

In 2012, Mark Wahlberg received backlash for stating that if he had been on American Airlines Flight 11 on September 11, 2001, it would not have gone down as it did. He later apologized.

July 2013: Equity interest of the Barbados Tridents cricket team

In July 2013, Mark Wahlberg bought an equity interest of the Barbados Tridents cricket team after being introduced to the game by his friend Ajmal Khan. Following the announcement, Wahlberg expressed his excitement about being part of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League.

2014: Application for a pardon

In 2014, Mark Wahlberg applied for a pardon for his convictions from the State of Massachusetts, sparking controversy. He later regretted the attempt.

September 2015: Apology to Pope Francis

In September 2015, Mark Wahlberg apologized to Pope Francis over the crude jokes he made in the film Ted.

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2015: Investing in Aquahydrate

In 2015, Mark Wahlberg recruited Sean Combs and Ronald Burkle to invest in Aquahydrate, a bottled water brand he discovered. The three men own a majority stake in the company.

2016: Co-founding Performance Inspired

In 2016, Mark Wahlberg co-founded Performance Inspired, a sports nutrition company, with former GNC executive Tom Dowd.

2016: Apology to Johnny Trinh

In 2016, Mark Wahlberg stated that he had met with Johnny Trinh and apologized for his past actions. Trinh released a public statement forgiving Wahlberg.

February 2017: $6 million funding round for StockX

In February 2017, Mark Wahlberg was one of the investors who took part in a $6 million funding round for StockX, a sneaker resale marketplace.

March 2017: Spokesman for AT&T

In March 2017, AT&T announced that Mark Wahlberg would become a spokesman and create original content for the mobile network division.

2017: Sought forgiveness for Boogie Nights role

In 2017, Mark Wahlberg stated in an interview with Cardinal Blase Cupich that he sought forgiveness from God for playing a porn star in Boogie Nights, though he later said it was a joke.

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July 20, 2018: Purchase of Bobby Layman Chevrolet

On July 20, 2018, Mark Wahlberg and his business partner, Jay Feldman, announced the purchase of Bobby Layman Chevrolet in Columbus, Ohio. The dealership was renamed Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet.

March 2019: Stake in the F45 fitness franchise

In March 2019, Mark Wahlberg bought a stake in the F45 fitness franchise.

March 2020: Haydocy Buick-GMC renames itself Mark Wahlberg Buick-GMC

In March 2020, local ABC affiliate WSYX reported that Haydocy Buick-GMC had filed paperwork to rename itself Mark Wahlberg Buick-GMC, due to the success of Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet. Feldman later confirmed that he and Wahlberg were purchasing their second General Motors dealership in the city.

June 29, 2020: Purchase of Haydocy's Airstream and RV dealership

On June 29, 2020, Mark Wahlberg and Jay Feldman's deal to purchase Haydocy's Buick-GMC became official, including Haydocy's Airstream and RV dealership.

July 2021: Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet of Avon

In July 2021, Mark Wahlberg and Jay Feldman added a fifth dealership, Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet of Avon, in Avon, Ohio, marking their entry into Northeast Ohio.

2021: Launch of Ballers Report

In 2021, Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson launched Ballers Report, an online platform featuring business, entertainment, and sports content, as a spin-off of their HBO series Ballers.