Donald Edward Whatley Jr. was born at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and later grew up on the west coast. He graduated from Folsom High School, where he went by the name Don Nikstaitis.
Following his graduation, Don joined the United States Army as a Military Police officer, and he quickly rose through the ranks to become an Airborne M.P. and a plainclothes investigator.
During his time in the Army, Don was deployed four times, including a tour of duty in Desert Storm from August 1990 to March 1991. He also played a key role in providing humanitarian aid in south Florida after Hurricane Andrew struck in 1992.
After leaving the Army, Don and his family relocated to Maryland, where he attended an accredited police academy and earned his certification as a police officer. While serving with the Maryland police force, Don began to pursue his passion for acting, modeling, and stunts.
In 2009, Don graduated from an elite Executive Protection school in Baltimore, Maryland, and he continued to work as a police officer and a part-time actor/model/stunt performer. However, in 2014, he retired from state service and dedicated himself full-time to his acting, producing, and stunt work.
Don Whatley's ultimate goal is to work alongside his idol, actor Dennis Quaid. In addition to his acting and stunt work, Don and his wife Mitz are also successful real estate investors.
