Donnie Wahlberg's Journey: From Boyband Singer To Triple-Threat Star

You know Donnie Wahlberg, right? He's the guy who started as a boyband singer and transformed into a Hollywood triple threat—actor, singer, and dancer. Growing up in the spotlight alongside his superstar brother Mark Wahlberg, Donnie has carved out an incredible career for himself. And after three decades in the entertainment industry, his net worth is nothing short of impressive. Let's dive into how this hardworking guy built his fortune and became one of the most respected figures in showbiz.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Donnie Wahlberg’s estimated net worth is a cool $25 million. Born in Massachusetts, Donnie grew up in a large family of nine kids. Life wasn’t easy for the Wahlbergs back then. After their parents divorced in 1982, Donnie, Mark, and their siblings lived with their mom, struggling to make ends meet. Despite those tough times, Donnie has always been open about his upbringing and the challenges his family faced.

In a candid interview with the Daily News in 2014, Donnie opened up about the struggles of his youth. "We grew up on food stamps, at times on welfare," he shared. "We had to go to the government food line and get free cheese and peanut butter." These humble beginnings only fueled Donnie's drive to succeed, and boy, did he ever!

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From Auditioning to Superstardom

Donnie's journey to fame began at the age of 15 when he auditioned for producer Maurice Starr. Starr saw something special in Donnie and made him the first official member of New Kids on the Block. Soon, brothers Jonathan Knight and Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, and Danny Wood joined the group, and the rest, as they say, is history.

In 1988, New Kids on the Block released their breakout single, "Please Don't Go Girl," which rocketed to No. 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Chart. This marked the beginning of their rise to superstardom. Their next album, Hangin' Tough, featured the hit song "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," which dominated the airwaves and became a staple on MTV. Their follow-up single, "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)," cemented their status as a global sensation, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

Step by Step: The Blockbuster Era

The band's second album, Step by Step, was released in 1990, and its title track became another massive hit. The album propelled New Kids on the Block to new heights, culminating in one of the highest-grossing tours of the decade. Fans went wild for the band, and their merchandise, including bedsheet collections featuring their faces, became a cultural phenomenon. By the time the band took a hiatus in 1994, they had amassed millions in sales and revenue.

Acting Career and Comeback

During the band's hiatus, Donnie shifted his focus to acting. He appeared in the Saw franchise, starred in Band of Brothers, and took on roles in several other notable dramas, including Big Apple. In 2008, he reunited with New Kids on the Block just as his acting career was taking off. However, his biggest role to date has been as Detective Danny Reagan on CBS's Blue Bloods, where he's worked alongside Tom Selleck since 2010. This role has solidified his place as one of TV's most beloved actors.

Family Business and Reality TV

The Wahlberg family expanded their empire beyond music and acting with the launch of Wahlburgers, a burger chain that became the subject of their reality TV show on A&E. Donnie, Mark, and their brother Paul are all business partners in the venture. The show ran for 10 seasons from 2014 to 2019 and gave fans a glimpse into the family's entrepreneurial spirit. Donnie also starred in Donnie Loves Jenny, a series that chronicled his life as a newlywed with his wife, Jenny McCarthy, in Hollywood.

Donnie even tried his hand at reality competition shows, appearing as Cluedle-Doo on season 5 of The Masked Singer. Jenny, who serves as a judge on the show, was stunned when she realized her husband was the masked performer. Meanwhile, Jenny herself has built an impressive $25 million net worth, proving that this power couple knows how to make a splash in the entertainment world. Donnie's appearance on The Masked Singer coincided with New Kids on the Block announcing a new U.S. tour, keeping him in the spotlight once again.

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