Mark Wahlberg’s Troubled Past Resurfaces Following SAG Win for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’

The Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday night were a cause for celebration, with the film Everything Everywhere All At Once sweeping the awards.

Notably, veteran actor James Hong, who stars in the film, went viral for his acceptance speech, where he highlighted Hollywood's history of yellowface and the exclusion of Asian actors.

However, amidst the jubilation, social media users couldn't help but point out the irony of controversial actor Mark Wahlberg presenting the final award of the night.

Wahlberg, who has faced multiple hate crime allegations against Black and Asian individuals, including a well-documented incident as a teenager, has a tarnished reputation in this regard.

Despite being a successful and popular actor, his past actions continue to haunt him.

His recent tribute to George Floyd on Instagram in 2020 only brought attention to his previous transgressions.

In 1986, when Wahlberg was just 16 years old, he faced a civil rights lawsuit for harassing Black children with racial slurs and throwing rocks at them.

Another incident in 1992 involved him repeatedly kicking a Black man in the face, resulting in a fractured jaw.

However, it was the assaults on two Vietnamese-American men in 1998 that drew the most attention.

Wahlberg attacked one man with a wooden stick, rendering him unconscious, and punched another, a Vietnam war veteran, in the eye.

He admitted to making anti-Asian remarks during the first attack and was initially charged with attempted murder.

He ultimately pleaded guilty to felony assault and served a sentence of only 45 days in prison.

In an attempt to redeem himself, Wahlberg sought a pardon for his convictions in 2014 from the state of Massachusetts, but his request was denied.

Despite these controversies, he has managed to maintain a successful career in Hollywood.

The decision to have Wahlberg present the award to the predominantly Asian cast of Everything Everywhere All At Once drew criticism from viewers.

It remains unclear whether he was chosen before or after the votes were tallied.

This choice, particularly in light of Hollywood's response to Will Smith following the Slapgate incident at last year's Oscars, left a sour taste for many.

Will Smith, who should have presented the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor, was notably absent from the ceremony.

Wahlberg's presence was further marred by his mispronunciation of the film Women Talking as “Women Are Talking,” which was seen as disrespectful by some.

It is evident that the actor still has a long way to go in rehabilitating his public image and addressing the consequences of his past actions.

The controversy surrounding Wahlberg's past and his role at the SAG Awards highlights the ongoing issues of representation and accountability in the entertainment industry.

While the success of Everything Everywhere All At Once is a significant moment for Asian cinema, the choice of presenter overshadowed this achievement.

It serves as a reminder that the industry must continue to address its historical shortcomings and strive for inclusivity and fairness.