Donald Alan "Don" Brinkley (March 9, 1921 – July 14, 2012) was an award winning television writer, director and producer. He wrote for countless television shows in a career that spanned over 55 years.

Don Brinkley had two biological children by his first wife, Lois, Jeff and Kim Brinkley. Divorced, he met Marge Hudson, mother of future supermodel Christie Brinkley. They married and Don legally adopted Christie and her brother Greg, a nutritionist today.

Brinkley had six grandchildren, including musician Alexa Ray Joel, and one great-grandson.