Donnie Wahlberg rose to stardom as part of the boy band New Kids On The Block. The five-member group is credited with hugely contributing to the boy band craze, a popular ‘90s trend that included N' Sync, Backstreet Boys, and B2K. As part of New Kids On The Block, Donnie Wahlberg earned himself a ‘bad boy’ image and was particularly popular with the girls. Together, the group topped the charts and grew a large fanbase with hits as "You Got It," "I’ll Be Loving You," and "Step by Step." The group split and reunited to record a secret album in 2007.
Outside New Kids On The Block, Donnie Wahlberg has established himself as an all-around creative. He is a top-notch actor and film producer. With films like The Sixth Sense, Saw, and Dreamcatcher to his name, he sure hasn’t stopped going. This is stamped by his long-running role as the star of CBS’s Blue Blood.
In honor of Donnie Wahlberg’s career that spans over three decades and counting, here are some of his greatest achievements:
10 Success With ‘New Kids On The Block’
It’s hard to talk about Donnie Wahlberg’s career without mentioning the very band that steered him into the public domain. New Kids On The Block has sold over 70 million records worldwide. It took the 16th position on Rolling Stone’s Top 25 Teen Idol Breakout Moments. The group has six studio albums and a 2017 extended play to their name.
9 Songwriting Credits
Besides his vocal prowess, Donnie Wahlberg has a way with the pen. He is credited as a songwriter on most of the songs released by New Kids on the Block including ‘2 in the Morning’, ‘Dirty Dancing’, and 2008 release, ‘Summertime.’ He’s also been credited as the co-author for songs such as ‘Good Vibrations’ and ‘ Wildside’ for Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch.
8 Music Production/ Arrangement
Donnie Wahlberg is every musician’s worst nightmare; a triple threat. To be able to write, sing, and produce songs is a rare gift only bestowed upon a few. As a producer, he is responsible for New Kids on the Block’s ‘Merry, Merry Christmas’ and ‘No More Games/ The Remix’ albums. He also produced the movie soundtrack for Super Mario Bros (1993).
7 Making It Big On The Big Screen
Donnie Wahlberg extended his creative wings into the world of film. Between 1996 and 2011, he appeared in over 22 films. He has played several roles including Shelby Horne in Bullet (1996), Chollo in Bullfighter (2000), and Detective Eric Matthews in the Saw series, which earned him a Teen Choice Award nomination.
6 Appearances On Television
Donnie Wahlberg’s appearances on television began with the 1998 production The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, a televised movie. Since then, he has appeared in over 15 productions including Runaway, The Path to 9/11, and his longstanding role as Detective Danny Reagan on CBS’s Blue Bloods. His career on television also includes reality television shows where he’s appeared as himself.
5 Commercial Deals And Endorsements
An entertainer’s life is almost incomplete without commercial endorsements. Companies like Nike and Adidas invest heavily in celebrity endorsements, even partnering with them to create and distribute products. In the world of commercials, Donnie Wahlberg is not exempted. He has appeared in several commercials for Ford, including one where he advocates for the fight against breast cancer. He has also appeared in ads by Farmer’s Insurance and Reebok, to name a few.
4 A Thriving Family Business
Not so many people can brag about making millions with their families. The Wahlbergs joined other prominent families cashing big cheques like the Kardashians and the Smiths through the highly-rated A&E reality show, Wahlburgers. Starring Donnie, Paul, and Mark Wahlberg, the series was based on their involvement in the restaurant business. Its spin-off, Donnie Loves Jenny, highlights the dynamics of his marriage to Jenny McCarthy.
3 A Videogame Voiceover Role
Most actors do not shy away from voiceover roles. Their intonation expertise is often needed for animations. Sometimes, it’s Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson voicing Maui in Moana, and other times, it’s Mila Kunis as Meg in Family Guy. In 2008, Donnie Wahlberg lent his voice to Turok, a video game. In the Microsoft Windows game, players take the role of a Native American space marine, Joseph Turok.
2 Multiple Award Nominations And Wins
Throughout his long-lasting career, Donnie Wahlberg has received several nominations. They include Primetime Emmy Award for Wahlburgers A People’s Choice Award and a Teen Choice Award for his role in Saw. Those nominations, coupled with an Awards Community Circuit Award nomination, cement his contribution to the world of entertainment. As part of New Kids on the Block, he won in two categories at American Music Awards.
1 A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
It’s every entertainer’s dream to one day have a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. It is the ultimate symbol; a sign that the blood, sweat, and tears paid off. Though the highest record for stars is held by individuals, groups are also eligible for the honor. Other groups like Destiny’s Child received their star, despite Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams not having individual stars. In 2014, News Kid On The Block received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.