Donnie Wahlberg

ABOUT

Donald Edmond Wahlberg Jr., widely known as Donnie Wahlberg, is a multifaceted American entertainer and entrepreneur best recognized for his roles in music, acting, and television. Born on August 17, 1969, in Dorchester, Massachusetts, Wahlberg first entered the limelight as a founding member of the boy band New Kids on the Block (NKOTB), one of the best-selling bands of all time. Beyond his musical career, Donnie has also made significant contributions to film and television, starring in prominent roles such as Detective Danny Reagan in the popular TV series "Blue Bloods."

BEFORE FAME

Growing up in a large family with nine siblings, Donnie Wahlberg was inclined toward the performing arts from a young age. He attended William Monroe Trotter School and later Copley High School in Boston, where he met Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Danny Wood, and Joe McIntyre, who would later become his bandmates in NKOTB. They achieved unprecedented success during the late 1980s and early 1990s, catapulting Donnie into stardom.

TRIVIA

• Donnie is famously known for producing and starring in "Wahlburgers," a reality television series centered around his family's restaurant business.
• Apart from "Blue Bloods," Wahlberg has also been involved in notable film projects including the "Saw" franchise, "The Sixth Sense," and "Righteous Kill."
• He is a co-owner of the Wahlburgers restaurant chain alongside his brothers Mark and Paul Wahlberg.
• In 1991, he made his acting debut in the film "Bullet" and transitioned smoothly into a successful acting career.
• Donnie has a passion for philanthropy and is involved in various charitable activities, including work with the "Boys & Girls Clubs of America."

FAMILY LIFE

Donnie Wahlberg comes from a large, close-knit family. He is the eighth of nine children born to Alma Elaine, a bank clerk and nurse's aide, and Donald Edmond Wahlberg Sr., who was a teamster and delivery driver. His younger brother, Mark Wahlberg, is also a well-known actor and producer. In 1999, Donnie married Kimberly Fey with whom he has two sons, Xavier Alexander Wahlberg and Elijah Hendrix Wahlberg. After their divorce in 2010, Donnie married actress and comedian Jenny McCarthy in 2014.

ASSOCIATED WITH

Donnie Wahlberg has had the privilege of working alongside many significant figures in the entertainment industry. As a member of NKOTB, he shared the stage with his bandmates and contributed to the resurgence of boy bands. In "Blue Bloods," he co-stars with veteran actor Tom Selleck. His involvement in the "Saw" series allowed him to work with director James Wan, enhancing his repertoire in horror films. In addition to his immediate family, Donnie shares a professional connection with his brother Mark Wahlberg, collaborating on various entrepreneurial ventures, including the Wahlburgers franchise.

Donnie Wahlberg’s illustrious career and dynamic personality continue to inspire fans across the globe, proving that his talent extends far beyond the realms of music and acting.