Born to Thomas, a union official and Katherine, a homemaker, Joey is the youngest of nine children, (Judy, Alice, Susan, Tricia, Carol, Jean, Kate, Tommy, and Joe) in an Irish-American Catholic family. He shares the same birthday as his sister Carol. One of his sisters, Judith McIntyre, is an actress.

Just before his 13th birthday, he joined New Kids on the Block, replacing Jamie Kelly. Since the other four members of the group were already long-time school friends, he initially found it difficult to mesh with the group. The New Kids on the Block became one of the most successful boy bands to date, producing two number one albums on the US Billboard charts. In 1991, Forbes magazine listed the band as the highest-earning entertainers, beating the likes of Madonna and Michael Jackson The band eventually disbanded in 1994 following a media backlash and thus the declining sales. The band's music continues to sell overseas and the band itself is regarded as a pioneering act today.

Following the group's split, McIntyre busied himself with songwriting and sought a record deal. He made his acting debut in the film The Fantasticks, which was based on the long-running off-Broadway musical. This 1995 film, starring Joel Grey and Jean Louisa Kelly, was released in theatres five years later.

Disenchanted by his inability to find a recording contract, McIntyre used his own money to record his first solo album Stay the Same and sold it on his website. He then took his first single also entitled Stay the Same from the album to local Boston DJs, which eventually garnered the song national airplay. The combination of airplay and website sales for the single led to McIntyre signing a recording contract in 1999 with Sony Music USA, under the Columbia label which had previously been home to New Kids on the Block.

The album Stay the Same was re-released on the Sony's Work Records and sold more than a million copies around the world. The single 'Stay The Same', rose the Billboard Hot 100, eventually peaking at number 10. The second track of the album I Love You Came Too Late was a decent follow-up.

Also in 1999, McIntyre recorded the song Remember Me for the film Southie, which starred former band mate Donnie Wahlberg.

In 2001, he released his second solo album Meet Joe Mac, a far more serious affair than his previous release. The album however, wasn't well received and did not chart. There was only one single released from this album, 'Rain'. Background vocals include Skyler Jett.

McIntyre played Jon in Jonathan Larson's Tick, Tick... BOOM! for both the off-Broadway (Fall 2001) and national tour (2003) versions of the play. In 2002, he appeared for a season on the popular television show Boston Public. The following year, he released the live acoustic album One Too Many with Emanuel Kiriakou.

McIntyre and his wife Barrett married on August 9, 2003, exactly a year after they had met. His fourth solo album 8:09, released in 2004, was largely influenced by his wife. Also in 2004, McIntyre starred in the film Tony n' Tina's Wedding, which co-starred Mila Kunis

In 2004, he played Fiyero, the leading male role in the Broadway musical Wicked for which he received mixed reviews. He replaced Norbert Leo Butz on July 20 2004 and remained with the show until January 9 2005 where he was later replaced by David Ayers. He also competed on the first season of the reality television show Dancing with the Stars, winning third place with dance professional partner Ashly DelGrosso.

He appeared as Fonzie in Happy Days, a musical based on the hit TV show at the Falcon Theater in Los Angeles from February 15 to March 12, 2006 and a second run from June 23 to August 13, 2006.

Beginning December 2006, he was scheduled to take part in Dancing with the Stars - The Tour with actor Joey Lawrence pop star Drew Lachey & TV stars Lisa Rinna and her husband Harry Hamlin.

McIntyre recently wrapped the film On Broadway, which was filmed in his hometown of Boston. He recently released an album of covers entitled Talk To Me on December 20.

In 2007 Joey McIntyre made a view as Gary in "Christmas At Cadillac Jacks." The show played around Christmas of that year on The Hallmark Channel and other various christian channels.

McIntyre and his wife Barrett welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Griffin Thomas, on November 20, 2007 in Los Angeles. The couple announced on July 15, 2009 that they would be adding another baby boy to their family this December.

In April 2008, it was announced that all five of the original members of New Kids on the Block were reuniting. The single 'Summertime' was released in May 2008. Their first full length album in fourteen years was released on September 2, 2008, titled The Block. On September 18, 2008, New Kids on the Block kicked off their reunion tour.In 2009, NKOTB are beginning a "Full Service" summer tour. Joey, and the rest of the New Kids, are all enjoying reuniting.