Mark Wahlberg Discusses Past Troubles on The View

Whoopi Goldberg intervenes when Joy Behar asks Wahlberg about his "worst thing" he's ever done.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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During an appearance on The View, actor Mark Wahlberg discussed his troubled past, noting that he "got into a lot of trouble" when he was younger. When co-host Joy Behar asked Wahlberg about the "worst thing" he's ever done, Whoopi Goldberg intervened, saying she wouldn't let Behar ask that question. Wahlberg ultimately provided a vague response, saying the worst thing he did was "follow others when I should have been more of a leader."

Why it matters

Wahlberg's past legal troubles and racially motivated assaults as a teen in Boston in the 1980s have been well-documented. His appearance on The View provided a platform for him to reflect on his past and how he has worked to turn his life around, which aligns with his previous statements about wanting to serve as an example of redemption.

The details

During his appearance on The View, Wahlberg discussed his faith and the importance of discipline in keeping him "on the right track" when he was younger. When co-host Joy Behar asked him about the "worst thing" he's ever done, Whoopi Goldberg tried to intervene, saying she wouldn't let Behar ask that question. However, Wahlberg ultimately provided a vague response, saying the worst thing he did was "follow others when I should have been more of a leader."

  • Wahlberg appeared on The View on February 18, 2026.

The players

Mark Wahlberg

A 54-year-old actor who has discussed his troubled past as a teen in Boston in the 1980s, including legal troubles and racially motivated assaults.

Joy Behar

An 83-year-old co-host of The View who asked Wahlberg about the "worst thing" he's ever done.

Whoopi Goldberg

A 70-year-old co-host and moderator of The View who intervened when Behar asked Wahlberg about the "worst thing" he's ever done.

Jonathan Roumie

A 51-year-old actor who appeared on The View alongside Wahlberg to promote the Catholic meditation and prayer app Hallow.

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What they’re saying

“Well, that's a long list.... The worst thing that I did was probably follow others when I should have been more of a leader, but that's very difficult to do at a young age when you're easily influenced and in a bad area.”

— Mark Wahlberg (The View)

“See. Good answer.”

— Joy Behar, Co-host (The View)

“Joy. You know what? I'm not going to let you ask that question.”

— Whoopi Goldberg, Moderator (The View)

The takeaway

Wahlberg's appearance on The View provided a platform for him to reflect on his troubled past and how he has worked to turn his life around, serving as an example of redemption. The exchange with Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg highlighted Wahlberg's willingness to be open about his past mistakes, while also demonstrating the care taken by the show's hosts to handle sensitive topics surrounding a guest's personal history.