Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Donnie Wahlberg
Discover the career path of Donnie Wahlberg, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Donnie Wahlberg is an American singer, actor, and producer, best known as a founding member of the boy band New Kids on the Block. As an actor, he is recognized for his role as NYPD Detective Danny Reagan in the TV drama series Blue Bloods. He has also appeared in several films, including the Saw series, Zookeeper, Dreamcatcher, The Sixth Sense, Righteous Kill, and Ransom. Furthermore, Wahlberg portrayed Carwood Lipton in the acclaimed World War II miniseries Band of Brothers, showcasing his versatility in both film and television.
1994: New Kids on the Block Break Up
After ten years together, New Kids on the Block, Donnie Wahlberg's boy band, announced their break up in 1994.
1996: First Film Acting Role
In 1996, Donnie Wahlberg had his first film acting role in the movie 'Bullet', starring alongside Mickey Rourke and Tupac Shakur. He also appeared as a kidnapper in 'Ransom' with Mel Gibson in 1996.
1999: Attention for Role in The Sixth Sense
In 1999, Donnie Wahlberg received attention for his role in the film 'The Sixth Sense', where he played the patient of Bruce Willis' character in the opening sequence.
2001: Co-starred in Band of Brothers
In 2001, Donnie Wahlberg co-starred as Second Lieutenant C. Carwood Lipton in the television miniseries 'Band of Brothers'.
2002: Starred in Boomtown
From 2002, Donnie Wahlberg starred in the NBC drama series 'Boomtown' as Joel Stevens, a Los Angeles police detective. The role was written specifically for him after Graham Yost was impressed by his performance in Band of Brothers.
2003: Starred in Boomtown
In 2003, Donnie Wahlberg continued starring in the NBC drama series 'Boomtown' as Joel Stevens, a Los Angeles police detective, following on from 2002.
2005: Played Detective in Pilot NY70
In 2005, Donnie Wahlberg played an NYPD detective in the NBC TV pilot 'NY70', which was set in the 1970s but was not picked up as a series.
2005: Starred in Saw II
In 2005, Donnie Wahlberg starred as Detective Eric Matthews in 'Saw II', the second installment of the 'Saw' film series.
September 2006: Starred in Runaway
In September 2006, Donnie Wahlberg played the lead role in the television drama 'Runaway' on The CW.
October 2006: Runaway was Canceled
In October 2006, Donnie Wahlberg's TV show 'Runaway' was canceled due to poor ratings.
2006: Reprised Role in Saw III
In 2006, Donnie Wahlberg reprised his role as Detective Eric Matthews in 'Saw III'.
2007: Appeared in Saw IV
In 2007, Donnie Wahlberg appeared as Detective Eric Matthews in 'Saw IV'.
2007: Starred in Kings of South Beach and The Kill Point
In 2007, Donnie Wahlberg starred in the television film 'Kings of South Beach' on A&E and also starred on the TV series 'The Kill Point'.
April 2008: NKOTB Reunion Confirmed
In April 2008, Donnie Wahlberg confirmed to CNN that New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) were planning on recording a new album and starting a new tour.
September 2008: The Block Album Release
In September 2008, New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) released their first album as a reunited group, 'The Block', which topped American charts and was certified gold.
September 18, 2008: NKOTB Reunion Tour Began
On September 18, 2008, New Kids on the Block's reunion tour, 'New Kids on the Block: Live', began at Toronto's Air Canada Centre.
2008: Appeared in Righteous Kill and What Doesn't Kill You
In 2008, Donnie Wahlberg appeared in 'Righteous Kill' and co-starred in 'What Doesn't Kill You'.
2008: Appeared in Saw V
In 2008, Donnie Wahlberg appeared in 'Saw V' via archive footage from previous films in the series.
2008: Starred in TNT pilot Bunker Hill
In 2008, Donnie Wahlberg worked with Bridget Moynahan on an unsuccessful TNT pilot called 'Bunker Hill' (originally titled Morse Code).
2010: Narrated The Association: Boston Celtics
In 2010, Donnie Wahlberg narrated 'The Association: Boston Celtics', a documentary about the team's season.
2011: Hosted Radio Show and Appeared in Zookeeper
As of 2011, Donnie Wahlberg hosted "DDUB's R&B Back Rub" on Cherry Tree Radio on Friday nights and appeared in the comedy film 'Zookeeper'.
2015: Joined Generation Rescue Board
In 2015, Donnie Wahlberg joined the board of directors of Generation Rescue, Jenny McCarthy's anti-vaccination nonprofit.
November 2016: Co-producer on CBS Comedy
In November 2016, Donnie Wahlberg was reported to be a co-producer on a CBS comedy in early development about a boy band reuniting after 20 years.
2016: Concerts for Generation Rescue
In 2016, Donnie Wahlberg held concerts to raise money for Generation Rescue.
2017: Appeared at Autism Education Summit
In 2017, Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy appeared together at Generation Rescue's Autism Education Summit and in a promotional video for the organization.
March 2019: Participated in Celebrity Poker Tournament
In March 2019, Donnie Wahlberg participated in a celebrity poker tournament benefiting Generation Rescue.
2021: Appearance on The Masked Singer
In 2021, Donnie Wahlberg worked on season five of 'The Masked Singer' as the rooster "Cluedle-Doo" who gave exclusive clues to the viewers and was unmasked after performing Mark Morrison's "Return of the Mack" in the semi-finals.
2022: Sold TV projects to CBS Studios
In 2022, Donnie Wahlberg sold two TV police drama projects, 'Harbor Blue' and 'Samaritan', as an executive producer to CBS Studios as part of an overall deal with the studio.
2024: NKOTB Still Tours as of 2024
As of 2024, New Kids on the Block still tour, and Donnie Wahlberg remains a member.
2024: TV Projects Not in Production
As of 2024, the TV police drama projects, 'Harbor Blue' and 'Samaritan', sold in 2022, had not entered production.
2024: Featured in Larger Than Life Documentary
In 2024, Donnie Wahlberg was featured in the Paramount Plus documentary 'Larger Than Life: Reign of the Boybands'.
2025: To reprise role as Det. Danny Reagan in Boston Blue
In the Fall of 2025, after Blue Bloods ended, Donnie Wahlberg is scheduled to reprise his role as Det. Danny Reagan in the hit-TV police drama Boston Blue.
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