Donnie Wahlberg Net Worth, Bio, Age, Career, Personal Life & More!

At 54 years old, Donnie Wahlberg has done it all—from teen heartthrob in New Kids on the Block to a steady TV favorite on Blue Bloods. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is $25 million, and that fortune comes from much more than just music. He’s worn many hats: singer, actor, producer, entrepreneur—and even reality TV star. But how did Donnie turn early ’90s boy band fame into a decades-long career and multimillion-dollar brand? Let’s break it down.

How Did Donnie Wahlberg’s Childhood Shape His Career?

Born August 17, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts, Donnie Wahlberg grew up in a working-class household in the Dorchester neighborhood. He was the eighth of nine kids, including his now world-famous younger brother Mark Wahlberg.

Money was tight, and after their parents divorced in the early ’80s, Donnie and Mark stayed with their mom. While his home life was often chaotic, Donnie found inspiration through music. Thanks to Boston’s controversial busing program, he attended a predominantly African-American school where he developed a passion for soul, rap, and R&B—and his idol was none other than Michael Jackson.

When Did Donnie Join New Kids on the Block?

At just 15 years old, Donnie caught the eye of producer Maurice Starr during open auditions to form a new kind of music group: a pop band with street edge and dance skills. Donnie’s singing, dancing, and rapping earned him a spot immediately. He brought in friends Danny Wood, Jordan and Jonathan Knight, and briefly, his brother Mark (who left shortly after).

The group—eventually named New Kids on the Block (NKOTB)—released their first album in 1986. It didn’t perform well. But their second album, Hangin’ Tough, dropped in 1988 and flipped the script. Singles like “Please Don’t Go Girl”, “You Got It (The Right Stuff)”, and “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)” dominated radio and MTV. By 1989, NKOTB were global icons, with Donnie cast as the group’s rebellious “bad boy.”

At their peak, NKOTB sold tens of millions of records and over $400 million in merchandise—from lunchboxes to dolls.

What Happened After NKOTB’s First Wave of Fame?

As the boy band craze started to cool in the early ‘90s, Donnie pivoted behind the scenes. He helped launch Mark Wahlberg’s rap career (Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch) by producing and co-writing their debut album Music for the People, which went Platinum.

That same creative energy led Donnie into acting. While the NKOTB brand quieted down, Donnie took a shot at building a second career in Hollywood—and it worked.

How Did Donnie Wahlberg Transition Into Acting?

Donnie’s film debut came in 1996, in the gritty drama Bullet with Tupac and Mickey Rourke. He followed that with memorable roles in Ransom, Southie, and The Sixth Sense—where he shocked audiences with a haunting performance in the film’s unforgettable opening scene.

He really found his groove in TV, though, especially in HBO’s Band of Brothers and the long-running CBS hit Blue Bloods, which he joined in 2010 as Detective Danny Reagan. That role has made him a household name for a new generation.

How Much Does Donnie Wahlberg Make From Blue Bloods?

Donnie has been one of the main anchors of Blue Bloods since its first season, and the pay reflects that. In the early years, he reportedly earned $60,000 per episode, totaling around $1.3 million per season.

These days? He’s pulling in $150,000 per episode, which adds up to roughly $3.3 million per season. Not bad for a guy who started his career with synchronized dance routines.

What Other Projects Has He Taken On?

Donnie isn’t just an actor or a pop star—he’s also a producer and reality TV personality. In 2014, he and his brothers Mark and Paul Wahlberg launched the hit A&E reality series Wahlburgers, chronicling their burger joint business and family dynamics. That led to another spinoff, Donnie Loves Jenny, co-starring his wife, Jenny McCarthy.

He’s also produced the docuseries Boston’s Finest and appeared in several installments of the Saw movie franchise. Clearly, he doesn’t like to stay in one lane.

Is Donnie Wahlberg Still Involved With New Kids on the Block?

Absolutely. Donnie and his bandmates reunited for a nostalgia-packed comeback with 2008’s The Block, which hit #1 on the charts. Since then, they’ve done several reunion tours, including the 2013 “Package Tour” with Boyz II Men and 98 Degrees.

NKOTB is now a legacy act—still drawing crowds, still selling out shows, and still having fun doing it.

What’s Donnie Wahlberg’s Personal Life Like?

Donnie’s life hasn’t been without drama. In 1991, he was arrested for arson after setting fire to a hotel carpet during a wild night. The charges were later reduced, and he agreed to film public service announcements as part of his sentence.

He married Kim Fey in 1999 and had two children with her before they divorced in 2008. In 2014, Donnie married actress and TV host Jenny McCarthy and became stepdad to her son, Evan. Together, they’ve embraced family life while still sharing their quirky personalities on-screen.

What Is Donnie Wahlberg Doing in 2025?

Now in his mid-50s, Donnie continues to film Blue Bloods, tour with NKOTB, run Wahlburgers with his brothers, and enjoy family life. He’s no longer just “Mark Wahlberg’s older brother”—he’s a multi-talented entertainer who’s created his own legacy.

With a current net worth of $25 million, Donnie Wahlberg shows no signs of slowing down. Whether it’s solving crimes on TV, reviving boy band nostalgia, or flipping burgers with his family, he’s stayed relevant, adaptable, and beloved for decades.