History of Donnie Wahlberg in Timeline

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Donnie Wahlberg

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.

August 17, 1969: Donnie Wahlberg's Birth

On August 17, 1969, Donald Edmond Wahlberg Jr. was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He later became a singer, actor, and producer, known as a founding member of New Kids on the Block and for his role in 'Blue Bloods'.

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1982: Parents' Divorce

In 1982, Donnie Wahlberg's parents, Alma Elaine (née Donnelly) and Donald Edmond Wahlberg, divorced.

1991: Charged with Arson

In 1991, Donnie Wahlberg was charged with first-degree arson for setting a fire at the historic Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. The charge was later reduced to misdemeanor criminal mischief and eventually dismissed after Wahlberg agreed to appear in public-service videos.

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.

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August 20, 1999: Married Kimberly Fey

On August 20, 1999, Donnie Wahlberg married Kimberly Fey, with whom he has two sons.

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.

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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'.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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September 2006: Starred in Runaway

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

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October 2006: Runaway was Canceled

In October 2006, Donnie Wahlberg's TV show 'Runaway' was canceled due to poor ratings.

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2006: Reprised Role in Saw III

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

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2007: Appeared in Saw IV

In 2007, Donnie Wahlberg appeared as Detective Eric Matthews in 'Saw IV'.

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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'.

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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.

August 13, 2008: Divorce Filing

On August 13, 2008, Donnie Wahlberg and Kimberly Fey filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.

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'.

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2008: Appeared in Saw V

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

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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).

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2008: Death of Father

In 2008, Donnie Wahlberg's father, Donald Edmond Wahlberg, passed away. He was a teamster who worked as a delivery driver.

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'.

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July 2013: Dating Jenny McCarthy

In July 2013, it was reported that Donnie Wahlberg was dating actress Jenny McCarthy after meeting on 'Watch What Happens Live' in March.

April 16, 2014: Engagement Announcement

On April 16, 2014, Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy announced their engagement on 'The View'.

August 31, 2014: Wedding to Jenny McCarthy

On August 31, 2014, Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy were married at the Hotel Baker in St. Charles, Illinois, where they now live.

2015: Joined Generation Rescue Board

In 2015, Donnie Wahlberg joined the board of directors of Generation Rescue, Jenny McCarthy's anti-vaccination nonprofit.

February 2016: Endorsement of Marco Rubio

In February 2016, Donnie Wahlberg endorsed Republican candidate Marco Rubio for president of the United States, but later expressed reservations due to disagreements.

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.

December 2019: Dissolution of Generation Rescue

In December 2019, Generation Rescue formally dissolved.

April 19, 2021: Death of Mother

On April 19, 2021, Donnie Wahlberg's mother, Alma Elaine (née Donnelly) passed away. She was a bank clerk and nurse's aide.

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.

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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.

December 2024: Delivered Weather Report

In December 2024, Donnie Wahlberg delivered a weather report on the Los Angeles TV station KTLA and was described as being "obsessed with weather."

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'.

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May 2025: Induction into Alumni Hall of Fame

In May 2025, Donnie Wahlberg was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

October 2025: Lifetime Achievement Award

In October 2025, Donnie Wahlberg received a lifetime achievement award from the Boston Arts Academy foundation.

2025: To appear in documentaries about Celtics and Red Sox

In 2025, Donnie Wahlberg is expected to appear in the HBO documentary series 'Celtics City' and the ESPN series 'Believers' about the Boston Red Sox.

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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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