Donnie Wahlberg Biography

After finding fame with New Kids on the Block, former teen idol Donnie Wahlberg found Hollywood success.

Donnie Wahlberg: The Beginning
Donnie Wahlberg was born Donald Edmond Wahlberg Jr. on August 17, 1969, in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Donnie Wahlberg was the second youngest of nine children born to Alma and Donald Wahlberg, Sr. Donnie Wahlberg is the older brother of former rapper and actor Mark Wahlberg. Donnie Wahlberg was a born performer, beginning to act in school plays by the first grade. In high school, Donnie Wahlberg was drawn to the theater program, often directing or acting in various school productions.

Donnie Wahlberg: The Chosen One
At 15, Donnie Wahlberg was chosen by music producer Maurice Starr out of 500 hopefuls to  be in a new teen pop group. Donnie Wahlberg convinced Maurice Starr to include his younger brother Mark Wahlberg and his schoolmates Danny Wood, Jordan Knight and his older brother Jonathan Knight to be a part of the musical venture, then called “Nynuk.” Mark Wahlberg became unhappy about the group’s bubblegum pop direction and left Nynuk. Mark Wahlberg’s departure paved the way for 12-year-old Joey McIntyre to join the group in 1984.

Donnie Wahlberg: New Kids Fame
After Donnie Wahlberg’s group changed its name from “Nynuk” to New Kids on the Block – a reference to a rap song written by Donnie Wahlberg – the group began to take off. Donnie Wahlberg and New Kids on the Block released its debut self-titled album in 1986. New Kids on the Block would not achieve national success until 1989’s Hangin’ Tough. Fans with New Kids on the Block tickets saw Donnie Wahlberg as New Kids on the Block’s “bad boy.”

Donnie Wahlberg: New Career
Donnie Wahlberg began working as a music producer during his time with New Kids on the Block, writing and producing NKOTB’s own songs. In 1990, Donnie Wahlberg recorded the hit duet “The Right Combination” with Japanese pop star Seiko Matsuda. Donnie Wahlberg and fellow New Kids on the Block member Danny Wood wrote and produced Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch’s debut album Music for the People in 1991. When New Kids on the Block disbanded in 1994, Donnie Wahlberg put his music career on hold to begin an acting career. Donnie Wahlberg made his film debut in the 1996 Tupac Shakur movie Bullet.

Donnie Wahlberg also appeared in the well-received 1996 Mel Gibson thriller Ransom, playing one of the doomed kidnappers. Donnie Wahlberg’s most critically acclaimed film role was 1999’s The Sixth Sense; Donnie Wahlberg lost over 40 pounds to play the part of Vincent Grey, Bruce Willis’ troubled patient. Donnie Wahlberg also starred in the Emmy Award-winning miniseries Band of Brothers. Donnie Wahlberg appears alongside Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in the 2008 film Righteous Kill as well as What Doesn’t Kill You, featuring Ethan Hawke.

Donnie Wahlberg: New Kid Again
In 2008, Donnie Wahlberg reunited with New Kids on the Block to release its first studio album in 14 years, The Block. Fans with New Kids on the Block tickets can see all their favorite New Kids Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, and Jonathan Knight perform old and new hits including “Summertime.” Join New Kids on the Block for their 2008 reunion tour and experience the action up close and personal with premium New Kids on the Block tickets. Party like its 1989 when you order your premium New Kids on the Block tickets from OnlineTickets.com today!