The actor's family had hoped he would pursure a career in the sciences, and for two years he attended a Chicago high school which was strong in that area. Then, without telling his parents, he tranferred to a different high school, one that had a better selection of arts courses. Indeed, when he did inform them of the transfer, he took pains to praise his new school's science courses, none of which he was enrolled in. He did, however, avail himself to the opportunity to be in school plays and to study dancing. By the time he graduated, he was offered a job with the Chicago-based Joseph Holmes Dance Company. Franklin chose to grab the dancing assignment and forgo college. At the same time, he got his first professional acting job, appearing in a production of The Amen Corner at Chicago's Kuumba Theater. He took acting classes conducted by Dan LaMorte at the Training Center For the Working Actor, and later added classes in ballet. Don landed roles in Chicago-area productions of Pippin, Kismet, The Life of Bessie Smith and One Shining Moment. During the run of the last-named, he auditioned ofr and won a role in the Sidney Poitier-production film, Fast Forward. Don went to Los Angeles wo work in the film and remained there for a period, but, his enthusiasm not-withstanding, additional roles were elusive. Returning to Chicago, he continued studying-and appeared in several new productions. Most notable were The Middle of Nowhere (1984), for which he received a Joseph Jefferson nomination for Best Actor; The Tempest at the Goodman Theater; and 1988's Playboy of the West Indies, an adaptation of the Irish classic, Playboy of the Western World. Franklin's film credits include roles in Moving and The Big Picture. He made his television debute in a guest-starring role on The Cosby Show. His series work includes his protrayal of Calvin on ABC's Knightwatch during the 1988-89 season, and that of Alex Wheeler on Nasty Boys for NBC. When he has time for leisure activities, Don enjoys swimming and playing backetball. He is an acomplished singer. He and his wife make their home in Los Angeles.
