New Kids on the Block Biography: Members, Age, Net Worth, Songs, Albums, Dating, Height

New Kids on the Block, commonly known as NKOTB, is an American boy band formed in 1984 in Boston, Massachusetts, consisting of members Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Joey McIntyre, Jonathan Knight, and Jordan Knight, renowned for their pioneering role in the late ’80s and early ’90s boy band era with bubblegum pop hits like “Step by Step” and “Hangin’ Tough.”

Discovered and produced by Maurice Starr, the group achieved massive success with multi-platinum albums, selling over 80 million records worldwide, before disbanding in 1994 and reuniting in 2008 to continue touring and releasing music, cementing their legacy as pop culture icons.

Profile

• Members’ Names: Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Joey McIntyre, Jonathan Knight, Jordan Knight
• Stage Name: New Kids on the Block
• Founded: 1984
• Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
• Origin: United States
• Occupation: Singers, Songwriters Actors
• Net Worth: $80 million

Early Life & Members

Donnie Wahlberg

Early Life: Raised in a large working-class family in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, Donnie developed an interest in music and acting through school plays and local rap performances before being recruited for the band.

• Date of Birth: 17, August 1969
• Age: 56 years old
• Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Ethnicity: Caucasian; Irish, Swedish, and English descent
• Religion: Catholic
• Parents: Donald Wahlberg Sr. and Alma Wahlberg
• Siblings: Eight siblings, including Mark and Robert Wahlberg
• Education: Graduated at Copley Square High School; no higher education, pursued music and acting early.

Danny Wood

Early Life: Growing up in Boston, Danny was drawn to breakdancing and music, performing locally before joining the group through auditions arranged by Maurice Starr.

• Date of Birth: 14, May 1969
• Age: 56 years old
• Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Ethnicity: Caucasian; Portuguese and Irish descent
• Religion: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. Wood and Mrs. Elizabeth Wood
• Siblings: Five siblings, including Bethany and Brett Wood
• Education: High school graduate; focused on dance and music, no college attendance documented.

Joey McIntyre

Early Life: From a tight-knit Boston family, Joey showed early talent in theater and singing through community productions, joining the band as its youngest member after a neighbor’s recommendation.

• Date of Birth: 31, December 1972
• Age: 52 years old
• Place of Birth: Needham, Massachusetts, USA
• Ethnicity: Caucasian; Irish descent
• Religion: Catholic
• Parents: Thomas McIntyre and Katherine McIntyre
• Siblings: Eight siblings, including Judy and Susan McIntyre
• Education: High school graduate; pursued performing arts over higher education.

Jonathan Knight

Early Life: Raised in Boston with a musical family background, Jonathan performed in church choirs and local groups before being scouted for NKOTB alongside his brother.

• Date of Birth: November 29, 1968
• Age: 56 years old
• Place of Birth: Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
• Ethnicity: Caucasian; English and French-Canadian descent
• Religion: Episcopalian
• Parents: Allan Knight and Marlene Putnam
• Siblings: Five siblings, including Jordan Knight
• Education: High school graduate; no college, focused on music career post-audition.

Jordan Knight

Early Life: Growing up in Boston, Jordan developed his vocal and dance skills in church and school, joining the band with his brother Jonathan under Maurice Starr’s guidance.

• Date of Birth: 17, May 1970
• Age: 55 years old
• Place of Birth: Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
• Ethnicity: English and French-Canadian descent
• Religion: Episcopalian
• Parents: Allan Knight and Marlene Putnam
• Siblings: Five siblings, including Jonathan Knight
• Education: High school graduate; prioritized music over further studies.

Career

New Kids on the Block began in 1984 when Maurice Starr, fresh off creating New Edition, scouted teens in Boston to form a new pop group, initially including Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, and the Knight brothers, with Joey McIntyre joining later to replace others.

Their debut album, New Kids on the Block (1986), flopped, but relentless local gigs and Starr’s vision led to a breakthrough with 1988’s Hangin’ Tough on Columbia Records.

The album’s singles “Please Don’t Go Girl” and “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” hit the Billboard Hot 100, with the latter peaking at No. 3, driving the album to 8x platinum status and selling over 14 million copies.

Early fame exploded through teen magazine covers, sold-out shows, and a fanbase dubbed “Blockheads,” establishing them as a cornerstone of the boy band wave.

By 1990, the group solidified their dominance with Step by Step, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, went 3x platinum, and spawned the title track—a No. 1 Hot 100 hit.

They headlined massive tours, including the Magic Summer Tour, performing for thousands nightly, and launched merchandise like dolls and comics that grossed millions.

Their 1991 remix album No More Games and 1994’s Face the Music showed a grittier edge, but the latter’s poor sales amid grunge’s rise led to their 1994 breakup.

During this peak, they won two American Music Awards (1990) and were nominated for a Grammy, cementing their pop culture footprint.

The 2008 reunion marked a major comeback, with The Block album reaching No. 2 on the Billboard 200, featuring collaborations like “Single” with Ne-Yo.

Tours with Backstreet Boys (NKOTBSB) in 2011 and the 2013 Package Tour with 98 Degrees drew huge crowds, blending nostalgia with new fans.

The group ventured into TV with Wahlberg’s Wahlburgers reality show and a 2017 Pop TV series, while their 2019 MixTape Tour with acts like Salt-N-Pepa grossed over $53 million.

Key accomplishments include over 80 million records sold, multiple top-10 hits, and a 2014 Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

Further in their career, NKOTB maintained relevance through fan engagement, releasing 10 in 2013 and the 2017 EP Thankful, both charting respectably.

They performed at major events like Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and launched a 2022 cruise, blending music with fan experiences.

Wahlberg’s acting in films like The Sixth Sense and Wood’s philanthropy via the Remember Betty foundation added depth to their brand, while McIntyre and Jordan pursued solo music, with Jordan’s 1999 hit “Give It to You” charting at No. 10.

Challenges included Jonathan’s anxiety-driven stage exits, addressed openly to destigmatize mental health.

NKOTB remains active with their Still Kids album (May 2024) debuting at No. 4 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales, supported by a summer tour covering 40 cities.

Recent work includes the single “Kids” and festival appearances like the Rewind South Festival, while their 17th annual cruise is set for October 2025.

Their influence persists through sold-out nostalgia tours, a reality TV series in development, and a legacy as boy band trailblazers who inspired groups like *NSYNC, with Wahlberg mentoring acts like One Direction and fans still chanting lyrics at Fenway Park shows.

Social Media

• Instagram: @nkotb
• YouTube: NKOTB

Personal Life

New Kids on the Block members balance high-profile careers with family-oriented lives, often sharing updates about relationships and parenting on social media, with most settled into long-term marriages.

Donnie Wahlberg

• Marriages: Married to Jenny McCarthy (2014); previously married to Kimberly Fey (1999-2010).
• Children: Xavier and Elijah
• Height: 5’10”
• Dating History: Married McCarthy after meeting on her talk show; previously dated Fey during NKOTB’s early years; openly discusses blended family life.

Danny Wood

• Marriages: Married to Patty Alfaro (1997-2006).
• Children: Chance, Vega, and Daniel Jr.
• Height: 5’8″
• Dating History: Post-divorce, dated briefly but keeps relationships private; focuses on fatherhood and cancer advocacy in memory of his mother.

Joey McIntyre

• Marriages: Married to Barrett Williams (2003).
• Children: Griffin, Rhys, and Kira.
• Height: 5’10”
• Dating History: Long-term marriage to Williams; met during real estate dealings; no prior public relationships widely reported.

Jonathan Knight

• Marriages: Married to Harley Rodriguez (2022).
• Children: None
• Height: 5’11”
• Dating History: In a relationship with Rodriguez since 2008, married after years of privacy; came out as gay in 2011, inspired by fan support.

Jordan Knight

• Marriages: Married to Evelyn Melendez (2004).
• Children: Dante and Eric.
• Height: 5’11”
• Dating History: Long-term marriage to Melendez; private about past relationships, focuses on family in public statements.

Discography

• New Kids on the Block (1986)
• Hangin’ Tough (1988)
• Merry, Merry Christmas (1989)
• Step by Step (1990)
• No More Games/The Remix Album (1990)
• Face the Music (1994)
• The Block (2008)
• 10 (2013)
• Thankful (2017)
• Still Kids (2024)
• “Please Don’t Go Girl” (1988)
• “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” (1988)
• “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)” (1989)
• “Hangin’ Tough” (1989)
• “Step by Step” (1990)
• “Tonight” (1990)
• “If You Go Away” (1991)
• “Summertime” (2008)
• “Kids” (2024)

Awards

• American Music Awards: Favorite Pop/Rock Band (1990), Favorite Pop/Rock Album for Hangin’ Tough (1990)
• Hollywood Walk of Fame: Star awarded (2014)

Net Worth

New Kids on the Block’s collective net worth is estimated at $80 million as of 2025, driven by over 80 million records sold, lucrative tours like the 2019 MixTape Tour, 2024 Still Kids run, and revenue from merchandise, cruises, and streaming royalties for hits like “Step by Step” with millions of plays.

Donnie Wahlberg leads at around $25 million, boosted by acting in Blue Bloods and Wahlburgers ventures; Jordan Knight and Joey McIntyre hold $18 million each from solo music and theater; Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood sit at $14 million and $12 million, respectively, with real estate and philanthropy adding to their wealth.