Mark Wahlberg is a pretty successful guy. At 41, he has an Oscar nomination, five hundred million-plus grossing blockbusters and a slew of other critical and box office hits under his buff belt. What he doesn't have is a high school diploma, but the father of four is looking to set an example and is returning to school to get his high school diploma.
The actor dropped out of school in the ninth grade, and on "The Late Show with David Letterman" last night announced that he's going back to high school beginning later this month. Wahlberg will complete his education courtesy of a new online program.
"It's an actual diploma," Wahlberg told Letterman. "I've got to take up all the courses that I missed, and I'm a little nervous. … They're going to give me whatever credits I already have, which is probably like one or two. But I'm going to make it happen."
Wahlberg's announcement is no doubt linked to his involvement with Taco Bell’s Graduate-To-Go program as an ambassador. The actor has been involved with the program, which seeks to help at-risk teens graduate high school, for three years.
"Participating in this campaign with Mona [a student helped by the program] inspired me, and I hope it will inspire others to help teens like her achieve greatness against all odds," Wahlberg said in a recent press release announcing his continued involvement.
He told Letterman that he has "a lot of downtime on sets in the trailer and stuff," so he hopes to "blast through [his course work]—hopefully do it within six to eight months."
Wahlberg isn't the only celebrity who, despite fame and fortune, has put a premium on education, seeking out their high school diploma or GED after dropping out of school for one reason or another.
Check out four more after the jump!
By Cara Alwill
Dear Jessica,