He was the stepfather of supermodel and occasional actress Christie Brinkley.
Don was also a significant contributor to another doctor-centered show of the 1970s, 'Medical Center', starring actor Chad Everett, reported the New York Daily News.
Born in the Bronx, Donald Alan Brinkley was a journalist for CBS Radio News and worked in television since the early days of the medium, penning episodes of 'Dick Tracy' and 'The Cisco' among other shows in the early 1950s.
The Museum of Broadcasting in New York also honoured Brinkley with a career retrospective in 1988.
In addition to daughter Christie, Brinkley is survived by his second wife Marge, a son Greg, children Jeff and Kim from his first marriage and several grandchildren including musician Alexa Ray Joel.
