Donnie Wahlberg’s Heartfelt Admission: Why He and Mark Must Prioritize Time with Their Family!

Donnie Wahlberg, the eighth of nine children in the famous Wahlberg family, is calling for more attention to be given to family time, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining close relationships due to geographic distances and demanding careers. Known for his role as Detective Danny Reagan on Blue Bloods and as a member of the iconic boy band New Kids on the Block, Donnie has spent decades navigating a high-profile career. Despite his success, he recognizes the importance of making more time for family—something he has admittedly struggled with due to his hectic schedule.

In a candid interview with Variety, published on December 12, 2024, Donnie reflected on the realities of maintaining connections with his siblings, including his younger brother, actor Mark Wahlberg. “It’s not that I’m not committed to my family, but I live in a different state than my siblings,” he shared. Donnie lives in St. Charles, Illinois, with his wife, Jenny McCarthy, while Mark resides in Las Vegas. Their busy schedules—along with extensive travel for work—have made it difficult to prioritize family time.

“I’ve been flying back and forth, filming and going on tour. I just want to sit at home and put on the fireplace and be with my wife and my dogs,” Donnie explained, noting that his sister often urges him to attend family gatherings in Boston. He mentioned how, on several occasions, he has skipped out on trips for Thanksgiving with his siblings, citing the physical and emotional toll of frequent travel.

However, Donnie also expressed his commitment to change. “Maybe I need to hop on a plane and do a little bit more of those occasions with the siblings and encourage Mark to get on a plane and do the same,” he said, acknowledging the importance of making the effort to stay connected, especially after the loss of their mother, Alma Wahlberg, in 2021.

A Shared Family Value

The sentiment was echoed in multiple reports, with Donnie admitting that, despite his deep love for his siblings, the distance and his career have hindered frequent visits. As he puts it, the Wahlbergs have always had a strong family bond, but the physical separation makes it difficult to maintain that closeness on a regular basis.

“I think when you come from a big family, you can stay close, but my career has taken me all over the world, and it still does,” Donnie said in a feature by HELLO! Magazine. The piece highlighted the emotional aspect of his confession, noting that, while Donnie remains deeply connected to his family, his job and personal life often come first.

Mark Wahlberg’s Perspective on Family

Donnie’s call for more family time also touched on his relationship with Mark. While Donnie encouraged Mark to make more of an effort, Mark has similarly spoken about the importance of family in recent interviews. In a 2025 interview with People, Mark shared his thoughts on family gatherings, emphasizing that quality time with loved ones is the priority when they do get together. “We gotta just enjoy each other’s company as often as possible,” he said, suggesting a shared understanding among the Wahlberg siblings of the importance of bonding, though without directly addressing Donnie’s suggestion.

Mark’s perspective, focusing on enjoying each other’s presence and avoiding work talk during family moments, aligns with Donnie’s acknowledgment of the importance of prioritizing family despite the challenges.

Looking Ahead

As both brothers continue their careers, Donnie’s recent reflections serve as a reminder of the importance of family connection, especially in large families like the Wahlbergs. While the distance and busy schedules can sometimes make maintaining that closeness difficult, Donnie’s renewed commitment to spending more time with his siblings underscores the enduring love that keeps the Wahlberg family strong, no matter the obstacles.

With Donnie’s acknowledgment of the challenges and his call for more effort, it seems likely that the Wahlbergs will continue to find ways to cherish their time together, creating lasting memories amidst the demands of their careers.