Growing up as the youngest of six children in a bustling household shaped the trajectory of Jordan Knight, the iconic falsetto singer from the legendary boy band New Kids on the Block. While millions of fans watched him rise to global fame during the pop explosion of the late 1980s, his family roots trace back to a tight-knit upbringing in Worcester, Massachusetts. Understanding his family background requires looking beyond his own career to examine his brothers and sisters.
Jordan Knight was born on May 17, 1970. He grew up alongside his parents, Allan and Marlene Knight, and his five older siblings: Allison, Sharon, David, Christopher, and Jonathan. Among them, Jonathan Knight sharing the stage in New Kids on the Block is widely known, but the rest of the sibling group largely maintained lives away from the intense glare of teen-pop stardom.
The Knight Family Structure and Background
The household was lively and full of activity. Allan Knight worked as an Episcopal priest, and Marlene Putnam worked as a social worker. Because of their large family of six children, their home was constantly filled with people, sharing spaces and navigating close quarters. Music played a steady role in their early years, with several siblings participating in local church choirs and community activities.
As the youngest child, Jordan often shared rooms with his brothers during his early childhood. This close living arrangement fostered deep bonds, particularly with Jonathan, who was closest to him in age and experience. When New Kids on the Block formed under producer Maurice Starr, Jonathan and Jordan entered the music industry together, bridging their private family life with an unprecedented global phenomenon.
Jonathan Knight: The Musical Brother
Jonathan Knight, born on November 29, 1968, is Jordan's older brother and fellow New Kids on the Block member. As the second youngest before Jordan arrived, Jonathan shares a distinct bond with him. Both brothers weathered the dizzying highs of 1990s pop mania, intense media scrutiny, and the eventual group hiatus and reunion tours.
Unlike some sibling duos in entertainment who experience friction, Jonathan and Jordan maintained a supportive partnership across decades of touring. Outside of his music career, Jonathan developed a well-known passion for home renovation and farming, eventually starring in television projects like Farmhouse Fixer on HGTV.
The Other Siblings: Allison, Sharon, David, and Christopher
While Jonathan and Jordan pursued music publicly, the other four Knight siblings chose paths outside of the pop spotlight.
- Allison Knight: As one of the older sisters in the family, Allison grew up helping manage the dynamic household. She largely avoids public media profiles, though she occasionally appears in family retrospectives shared by fans and historical fan group archives.
- Sharon Knight: Sharon shared many childhood moments with Jordan, and early family photographs often capture them growing up together in Massachusetts. She maintains a private life away from the entertainment industry.
- David Knight: David is one of Jordan's older brothers. Like his sisters, David chose not to pursue a career in the public eye, keeping his personal and professional life private.
- Christopher Knight: Christopher rounds out the group of six siblings. He grew up alongside his brothers sharing rooms and participating in family life in Worcester before the family relocated and the younger boys found fame.
Exact birth dates and public biographical details for Allison, Sharon, David, and Christopher remain largely private because they never sought celebrity status. Media interest typically focuses on Jordan and Jonathan due to their decades in the public eye with NKOTB, leaving the four older siblings to live quiet, unpublicized lives.
Family Values and Later Years
The Knight family's roots in both the United States and Canada—via their parents' origins in Ontario—provided a grounded foundation despite the chaos of pop stardom. Jordan has frequently credited his parents and siblings for keeping him anchored. Even as Jordan built his own family with his wife Evelyn Melendez and their two sons, Dante and Eric, the values instilled in the Worcester parsonage remained evident.
Navigating fame as a teenager could easily derail personal relationships, but the Knight siblings retained their bond. Whether gathering for holidays or supporting each other through career transitions, the family dynamic established in their childhood proved resilient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Jordan Knight's parents?
Jordan Knight's parents are Allan Knight, an Episcopal priest, and Marlene Putnam, a social worker. They raised six children in Massachusetts.
How many siblings does Jordan Knight have?
He has five siblings: Allison, Sharon, David, Christopher, and Jonathan. He is the youngest of the six children.
Which Jordan Knight sibling was in New Kids on the Block?
Jonathan Knight is Jordan's brother and fellow bandmate in New Kids on the Block.
What do Jordan Knight's other siblings do?
Allison, Sharon, David, and Christopher chose careers outside of the entertainment industry and maintain private lives away from media attention.
