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. He has achieved significant success in acting, notably starring as Detective Danny Reagan in the long-running TV series Blue Bloods. Wahlberg has also appeared in various films, including the Saw franchise, Zookeeper, Dreamcatcher, The Sixth Sense, Righteous Kill, and Ransom. Furthermore, he portrayed Carwood Lipton in the acclaimed World War II miniseries Band of Brothers, showcasing his versatility as a performer across different genres and media.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1994: New Kids on the Block Break Up

In 1994, after ten years together, New Kids on the Block announced their break up.

1996: First film roles in Bullet and Ransom

In 1996, Donnie Wahlberg had his first film acting role in Bullet with Mickey Rourke and Tupac Shakur. Also in 1996, he appeared in Ransom with Mel Gibson.

1999: 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: Role in Band of Brothers

In 2001, Donnie Wahlberg co-starred as Second Lieutenant C. Carwood Lipton in the television miniseries Band of Brothers.

2002: Stars in Boomtown

In 2002, Donnie Wahlberg starred in the NBC drama series Boomtown as Joel Stevens, a Los Angeles police detective.

2003: Boomtown role until 2003

Donnie Wahlberg continued to star in the NBC drama series Boomtown as Joel Stevens until 2003.

2003: Stars in Dreamcatcher

In 2003, Donnie Wahlberg starred in William Goldman and Lawrence Kasdan's adaptation of Stephen King's alien-invasion thriller, Dreamcatcher, playing the role of Duddits.

2005: Pilot for NY70

In 2005, Donnie Wahlberg played an NYPD detective in an NBC TV pilot NY70 set in the 1970s, though the show was not picked up. This role later influenced his decision to take the role in Blue Bloods.

2005: Stars in Saw II

In 2005, Donnie Wahlberg starred as Detective Eric Matthews in the second installment of the Saw series, Saw II.

September 2006: Lead Role in Runaway

In September 2006, Donnie Wahlberg played the lead role in the television drama Runaway on The CW.

October 2006: Cancellation of Runaway

In October 2006, the television drama Runaway, in which Donnie Wahlberg played the lead role, was canceled due to poor ratings.

2006: Reprises role in Saw III

In 2006, Donnie Wahlberg reprised his role as Detective Eric Matthews in Saw III.

2007: Appears in Saw IV

In 2007, Donnie Wahlberg appeared in Saw IV, continuing his role as Detective Eric Matthews.

2007: Stars in Kings of South Beach

In 2007, Donnie Wahlberg starred in the television film Kings of South Beach on A&E. Also in 2007, he 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 were planning on recording a new album and embarking on a new tour.

September 2008: The Block Album Release

In September 2008, New Kids on the Block released their first album as a reunited group, titled The Block. The album topped American charts and was certified gold.

September 18, 2008: New Kids on the Block: Live Tour Begins

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: Appears in Righteous Kill

In 2008, Donnie Wahlberg appeared in Righteous Kill and co-starred in What Doesn't Kill You.

2008: Appearance in Saw V

In 2008, Donnie Wahlberg appeared in Saw V via archive footage from the previous films.

2008: Pilot for Bunker Hill

In 2008, Donnie Wahlberg worked with Blue Bloods co-star Bridget Moynahan on an unsuccessful TNT pilot called Bunker Hill.

2010: Narration of The Association: Boston Celtics

In 2010, Donnie Wahlberg narrated The Association: Boston Celtics, a documentary about the team's 2010 season.

2011: Host of DDUB's R&B Back Rub and Appears in Zookeeper

As of 2011, Donnie Wahlberg is the host of an internet radio show on Friday nights called "DDUB's R&B Back Rub" on Cherry Tree Radio and appeared in the 2011 comedy Zookeeper.

November 2016: Co-Producer of CBS Comedy

In November 2016, it was reported that Donnie Wahlberg was a co-producer on a CBS comedy in early development about a boy band reuniting after 20 years.

2019: Host of Very Scary People

Since 2019, Donnie Wahlberg has been the host of the documentary series Very Scary People.

2021: Appearance on The Masked Singer

In 2021, Donnie Wahlberg worked on season five of The Masked Singer as the rooster "Cluedle-Doo" and was unmasked after performing Mark Morrison's "Return of the Mack" in the semi-finals.

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2022: Deal with CBS Studios

In 2022, Donnie Wahlberg sold two TV police drama projects as an executive producer to CBS Studios as part of an overall deal with the studio, Harbor Blue and Samaritan.