Mark Wahlberg and Donnie Wahlberg are two of the most successful and recognizable celebrities in Hollywood. They have both achieved fame and fortune in different fields, such as music, acting, producing, and entrepreneurship. But are they really related? And how close are they as brothers? Here is everything you need to know about the Wahlberg siblings.
From New Kids on the Block to Hollywood Stars
Mark and Donnie Wahlberg grew up in a large family in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. They were the youngest of nine children, with six older siblings and two half-siblings from their father’s first marriage. Their parents divorced when they were young, and they had a tough upbringing in a rough area.
Donnie was the first to pursue a career in entertainment, as he joined the boy band New Kids on the Block in 1984. He was one of the founding members and the main vocalist of the group, which became one of the most popular and successful pop acts of the late 1980s and early 1990s. According to TheThings, Donnie initially recruited his younger brother Mark to join the band, but Mark soon quit and pursued his own musical path.
Mark formed his own rap group, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, which had a hit single with “Good Vibrations” in 1991. He also became a model for Calvin Klein underwear, and later transitioned into acting. He starred in movies like Fear, Boogie Nights, The Departed, Ted, and Transformers: Age of Extinction. He also became a producer of films and TV shows, such as Entourage, Boardwalk Empire, and Wahlburgers. According to IMDb, he was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in The Departed.
Donnie also ventured into acting, after the New Kids on the Block disbanded in 1994. He appeared in movies like The Sixth Sense, Dreamcatcher, Saw, and Zookeeper. He also starred in TV shows like Band of Brothers, Boomtown, and Blue Bloods. He also produced and starred in reality shows like Rock This Boat, Donnie Loves Jenny, and Return of the Mac.
How Close Are Mark And Donnie Wahlberg?
Despite their busy and successful careers, Mark and Donnie Wahlberg have maintained a close bond as brothers. They have supported each other’s endeavors and collaborated on several projects. They also share a passion for their hometown of Boston and their family heritage.
One of their joint ventures is Wahlburgers, a casual dining restaurant chain that they co-own with their older brother Paul, who is a chef. The restaurant features burgers, sandwiches, salads, and drinks inspired by their childhood recipes and memories. The chain has expanded to several locations across the US and Canada, and even inspired a reality show of the same name that aired on A&E from 2014 to 2019.
Another project that brought them closer together was New Kids on the Block’s reunion in 2008. The boy band decided to get back together after 14 years of hiatus, and released a new album called The Block. They also embarked on a world tour that featured guest appearances by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. According to TheThings, Mark surprised Donnie on stage during a concert in Madison Square Garden in 2015, marking their first performance together since Mark left the band.
Mark and Donnie Wahlberg are not only related by blood, but also by love and respect. They have overcome their differences and challenges, and have become each other’s biggest fans and supporters. They are truly an example of brotherly love in Hollywood.
