Mark Wahlberg Reveals the ‘One Thing’ That Stings About His Oscar Loss for ‘The Departed’

Mark Wahlberg, the actor, producer, and former rapper known for his transition from music to film, has had a career filled with iconic roles. From Boogie Nights (1997) to Ted (2012), Wahlberg’s filmography spans genres and characters, but it was his role as Sergeant Dignam in The Departed (2006) that earned him his first and only Oscar nomination. Despite his strong performance and the film’s tremendous success, Wahlberg came very close to winning the Best Supporting Actor Oscar at the 79th Academy Awards in 2007, only to lose out to Alan Arkin for his role in Little Miss Sunshine.

Film and Role Details

The Departed, directed by Martin Scorsese, is a crime thriller set in Boston, where Wahlberg portrayed Dignam, a Massachusetts State Police sergeant working in an undercover unit. The role showcased Wahlberg’s ability to blend intensity and authenticity, drawing from his own Boston roots and past experiences with the law. His portrayal was lauded for its sharpness, adding a distinct edge to the film’s ensemble, which included Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing $291 million worldwide and winning four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Wahlberg’s nomination for Best Supporting Actor was a significant recognition for his work in the film, especially in a year that saw The Departed dominate the Oscars. However, despite the film’s multiple accolades, Wahlberg ultimately lost the Oscar to Alan Arkin, who was praised for his portrayal of the quirky grandfather in Little Miss Sunshine. The loss marked a “near-Oscar win” for Wahlberg, a term often used to describe those who come close to winning but fall just short.

Public Discussions and Reflections

While Wahlberg has discussed his role in The Departed in various interviews, there has been limited reflection on his reaction to not winning the Oscar. In a 2007 NPR interview shortly after his nomination, Wahlberg focused on the significance of the role and his feelings of gratitude rather than the possibility of losing. In later years, he touched upon his views on Oscar recognition during interviews, such as in a 2018 conversation with Variety, where he expressed optimism about a potential new Oscar category for popular films. This statement indicated a retrospective view on the Oscars, suggesting that if the rules had been different, films like his could have had a better chance of winning.

In a 2024 interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Wahlberg admitted to feeling “a little pissed about a couple of things” during the filming of The Departed, though he noted that it all worked out in the end, likely referring to the film’s success and his Oscar nomination. However, he did not specifically address his reaction to losing the Oscar.

Analysis of “Near-Oscar Win”

The term “near-Oscar win” applies to Wahlberg’s nomination for The Departed, as it marked his closest encounter with winning an acting Oscar. Losing to Alan Arkin, who delivered a memorable performance as the aging, wisecracking grandfather in Little Miss Sunshine, highlights the intense competition in the Best Supporting Actor category that year. Wahlberg’s performance, though praised, was overshadowed by Arkin’s standout role, and this dynamic contributed to Wahlberg’s “near-win” status.

Interestingly, the lack of widely available quotes from Wahlberg about his reaction to the loss suggests that while the Oscar nomination was a career highlight, he may not have publicly dwelled on the defeat. Instead, his later comments about future Oscar categories reflect his focus on looking forward rather than revisiting past disappointments.

Comparative Context

Wahlberg’s Oscar nomination was part of a highly competitive year for Best Supporting Actor. Other nominees included Eddie Murphy for his performance in Dreamgirls and Jackie Earle Haley for Little Children. The win by Arkin was seen as a strong choice, with many praising his heartwarming yet comedic portrayal of a grandfather who embarks on a road trip with his dysfunctional family. Wahlberg’s role as Dignam, though intense, was a supporting one, which may have made it more difficult to stand out against Arkin’s memorable and award-winning performance.

The competitive nature of the category and the complexity of Oscar voting are often factors that influence the final outcome. While Wahlberg’s performance in The Departed was highly regarded, the combination of other standout performances in the same category, particularly Arkin’s, made it a tough race.

Conclusion

Mark Wahlberg’s near-Oscar win for The Departed remains a notable moment in his career. While he did not take home the coveted statue, his performance as Sergeant Dignam continues to be celebrated, both for its authenticity and intensity. The experience of coming close to winning has not appeared to overshadow Wahlberg’s career, and his retrospective comments show that he remains focused on future opportunities rather than dwelling on the past. For Wahlberg, the nomination was a career highlight and a testament to his talent, marking a “near-win” that was nonetheless a significant achievement in the landscape of his career.