Don Franklin mini-bio: Like many other young actors who appeared on NBC's "The Cosby Show," DON FRANKLIN
credits the popular comedy series with having elevated his acting profile when he
guest-starred in an episode in 1986. "I couldn't buy a job in Los Angeles," says
the Chicago native. "But I got incredible exposure when I played ["Cosby" co-star]
Lisa Bonet's boyfriend. I even remember having to sleep on the floor of the casting
director's office overnight. That show opened up a lot of doors for me."
Franklin grew up in the Windy City and began entertaining by singing in choirs and
joining two dance companies, practicing ballet and modern jazz. He concentrated on
musical theater until he won his first role as a dancer in "Fast Forward," a feature
film directed by Sidney Poitier. The role in the 1984 movie took him to California
for the first time, but when he couldn't find any more work, he returned to Chicago
and starred in the musical "A Chorus Line" until his appearance on "The Cosby Show."
Soon after, Franklin appeared in the film "Moving" starring Richard Pryor, followed
by a regular role in the 1988-89 series "Knightwatch." When the series concluded, he
joined the regular cast of NBC's crime drama "Nasty Boys." From 1990 to 1992, he
played in one of his favorite roles to date, series regular on "The Young Riders."
The Western series required him to learn to rope and ride at a cowboy camp and he
relished the open-air experience. In addition, Franklin appeared in the feature film
"The Big Picture" and on stage in "Playboy of the West Indies."
Now co-starring as the second-in-command of a submarine a fifth of a mile long,
Franklin would feel confident about serving under his alter ego: "Lieutenant Ford
has had to work hard and maintain tunnel vision. He's singleminded and
goal-oriented, and nothing will deter him from his dream. I'm like that, too, but I
like to stop and smell the roses."
Franklin enjoys music (particularly playing keyboards), racquetball, weightlifting
and following the Chicago Bears and Bulls. He and his wife live in Los Angeles.
