Drug addiction and an attempted murder charge: The tumultuous life of Mark Wahlberg.

From a rough upbringing to a rousing acting career, Mark Wahlberg’s life is not the quintessential Hollywood success story.

Wahlberg, who is one of nine kids, dropped out of school at age 14 and by 16, had a criminal lawsuit against him.

But now, at the age of 48, the actor has lived a life of reconciliation and has enjoyed great success in the acting world. In 2017, he even topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid actors, after earning $US68 million in that year.

The troubled childhood of Wahlberg has turned into one of Hollywood’s biggest success stories, but the shadows of his past never appear far away.

Here is what you may not have known about Mark Wahlberg.

Mark Wahlberg’s tumultuous past.

From the young age of 13, Wahlberg developed an addiction to cocaine and other substances.

“I was climbing out the window and staying out all night when I was 12 or 13, and by the time I was 13 or 14, I stopped going to school,” Wahlberg recalled.

“My older brothers taught me how to get high when I was 10, and gave me a couple beers. They thought it was funny to see me stumbling around. A lot of my family is now in A.A. But I don’t blame anybody. I took it upon myself to take it to the next level. I was getting fucked up every day and committing violent acts.”

In June 1986, Wahlberg and three friends allegedly chased after three black children while yelling racial slurs and throwing rocks at them. The very next day, Wahlberg and others followed another group of children as they “summoned other white males” who joined in on the harassment.

In August 1986, a civil action was filed against the actor for violating the civil rights of his victims.

Two years later, at age 16, Wahlberg robbed a pharmacy and a liquor store before attempting to escape police while high on numerous substances. While avoiding law enforcement, Wahlberg assaulted a middle-aged Vietnamese man, knocking him unconscious with a large stick. In the same night, Wahlberg brutally punched another Vietnamese man – named Johnny Trinh – in the eye. As a result, Wahlberg was charged with attempted murder.

In 1988, the teenager spent just 45 days behind bars after being sentenced to two years in jail.

In 2014, however, the actor applied for a pardon for his crimes, insisting he is now a “better person and citizen”.

In his pardon document, he wrote: “Had I stayed on that path, I would likely have ended up like so many of my childhood friends from Dorchester: dead or in prison for a prolonged period of time.”

“I have not engaged in philanthropic efforts in order to make people forget about my past. To the contrary, I want people to remember my past so that I can serve as an example of how lives can be turned around and how people can be redeemed,” he added.

In 2014, Wahlberg’s victim, Trinh told Mail Online that he has since forgiven the actor.

“He was young and reckless but I forgive him now. Everyone deserves another chance,” the victim said. “He paid for his crime when he went to prison. I am not saying that it did not hurt when he punched me in the face, but it was a long time ago.”

According to the Washington Post, however, another victim of Wahlberg, who was racially attacked by the now-actor, said he should not be forgiven.

“I don’t really care who he is,” Kristyn Atwood said. “It doesn’t make him any exception. If you’re a racist, you’re always going to be a racist. And for him to want to erase it I just think it’s wrong.”

Wahlberg dropped the pardon in 2016 after it seemed unlikely to be accepted.

Mark Wahlberg’s rap and acting career.

Following his stint in prison, Wahlberg carved a career in rap under the name 'Marky Mark' which launched him into the public eye.

He then spearheaded the group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, who in 1991 released the now-famous song, 'Good Vibrations'.

However, the success of his acting soon took over and Wahlberg quickly became one of Hollywood's A-list actors.

Wahlberg has appeared in a plethora of successful films, including Planet of the Apes, Ted, Daddy’s Home and Transformers: Age of Extinction.

Graduating school at 41.

In 2013, Wahlberg added one more accomplishment to his long list of achievements: high school graduate.

Indeed, at the age of 41, the actor and producer returned to school, citing his four children as his biggest motivator.

"I didn’t want the kids saying, ‘You didn’t do it, so why do I need it?’ They are all wanting to do things in their future that require an education," he told People at the time.

"I wondered, ‘Why didn’t I do it when I was there?’ It’s so much harder at 41 going back and trying to do all these difficult tasks," he laughed.

Wahlberg has been married to his wife Rhea Durham since 2009, and they share four children together: daughters Ella and Grace, and sons Michael and Brendan.

Feature Images: Getty.