Mark Wahlberg
Actor Mark Wahlberg issued an apology for comments he made about 9/11, claiming that if he had been on the plane he would have overpowered the hijackers. REUTERS

Actor Mark Wahlberg issued an apology for comments he made about 9/11, claiming that if he had been on the plane he would have overpowered the hijackers.

In a statement released by Wahlberg's publicist, the actor apologized for his irresponsible and insensitive remarks related to the 9/11 tragedy. To speculate about such a situation is ridiculous to begin with, and to suggest I would have done anything differently than the passengers on that plane was irresponsible, he said. I deeply apologize to the families of the victims that my answer came off as insensitive, it was certainly not my intention.

The 40-year-old actor made the offensive remarks during an interview with Men's Journal. When asked what he would have done if he had been on one of the planes that hit the World Trade Center, Wahlberg responded: If I was on that plane with my kids, it wouldn't have went down like it did.

There would have been a lot of blood in that first-class cabin and then me saying, 'OK, we're going to land somewhere safely, don't worry', he added.

The Boston-born Contraband star was supposed to be on one of the planes that crashed on 9/11, thus the question was asked within that context.

However, family members of 9/11 victims did not deem his remarks appropriate, regardless of what his plans were supposed to have been on September 11, 2001. When news first circulated of the Men's Journal interview, media outlets reported that a 9/11 widow called Wahlberg's comments disrespectful.

The Oscar-nominated actor issued his apology shortly thereafter.