Douglas James Mason was born in San Diego, California to two working class parents. His mother's career in the Navy took her family across the U.S. during the course of his childhood spanning seven states and placing him in three high schools in various parts of the country. He has a younger sister, whom he is very close with. His father was a fine art director in San Diego but once Douglas and his sister was born, his father retired to take care of Douglas and his sister. His mother's career was the primary source of income for the family. Douglas played competitive basketball, track and football during his younger years eventually leading him into thrill seeking sports such as surfing and alpine skiing. He discovered theater in high school and took a liking to playing characters, a feeling he resonated with having to relocate every two years due to his mother's career. He describes moving state to state as a child as "a blessing in disguise". "I was able to reinvent myself each place we moved to, always being in a new school, with new cultures impacted me far more than I realized." While attending Boise State University, Douglas was named the school's news anchor for the University Television Program ran by professor Nathan Snyder. He participated in the program weekly for two years, in which he wrote over 100 stories before graduation., After graduating from Boise State University with a communications degree and a broadcast journalism emphasis, he moved to San Diego to become an EMT ocean lifeguard, while studying commercial acting. During this time, he landed his first co-star role on NBC's Magnum P.I. Season 5 playing Adam Webber, who tragically dies in a car crash. Douglas' acting coach is Carey Scott, whom studied under Stella Adler. Today, Douglas spends his time between New York, Los Angeles and San Diego while pursuing acting full time. His outside interests are personal fitness training, swimming, surfing and reading.