The Life and Death of a Legend, a Hero, and the Greatest Power Ranger of All Time
Miguel Discart, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
On Nov. 19, 2022, actor and martial artist Jason David Frank was found dead.
Jason David Frank was one of the most prominent characters in the popular television series, “Power Rangers”, where he had been one of the main rangers in four series and cameoed in a couple of other “Power Rangers” series. Though he was not intentionally meant to be one of the main characters, find out how he got to be so popular and how he created his own martial arts style. Also, how did his friends and fans react to his death?
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Mal1262, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How did Jason David Frank become famous?
Frank was first introduced to the “Power Rangers” series as Tommy Oliver, an antagonist, and first appeared as the green ranger under the control of the main villain. He eventually broke free and helped the rangers until his green ranger powers faded away.
Originally, he was only meant to be in the series for 10 episodes, but his great acting skills and martial arts skills captured the attention of fans, which made the director think of another role he could play.
After his time as the green ranger, the directors decided to give him a new role as the white ranger, the newest addition to the power ranger team. Frank would play the role of the white power ranger until the end of the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” series.
He would go on to play the red ranger in both “Power Rangers Zeo” and “Power Rangers Turbo”. He played the role of the veteran ranger and was the leader of the team, as red rangers usually are.
Frank left halfway through the “Power Rangers Turbo” series, but he would return to the franchise a couple of years later as the mentor of the “Power Rangers: Dino Thunder”, and later obtained the role of the black ranger.
His fans wanted to see him play the role of a power ranger again so badly that they set up a startup for him to have his own spin-off power ranger movie titled “Legend of the White Dragon”. The startup had been successful, and they began filming. Sadly, Frank will not be able to see his new movie, but it is still set to be released in 2023.
Acting was not the only thing Frank was known for. He was also a martial artist who even created his own style called “Toso Kune Do”, which translates to Way of the Fighting Fist. His fighting style was inspired by Bruce Lee and other martial artists of the sort.
He had his own chain of martial arts dojos called “Rising Sun Karate Academy”, where he taught his students his style of martial arts.
Reactions of Jason David Frank’s fans and friends following his death.
Frank played Tommy Oliver for over the past 20 years and worked with great actors who also became his friends. He also touched the hearts of so many fans and to them, he was their childhood hero. Here are some of the reactions that those fans and friends had after hearing about his death.
Amy Jo Johnson, who played the pink ranger alongside Frank, dedicated a post to him.
"Jase, you were beautiful and truly unique. My life just won't be the same without your frenetic, hilarious, caring, driven, and creative ball of energy,” Johnson said. “I will always love you, dear friend. Please Rest now In Peace."
Johnson and Frank seemed like they were close friends, just like they were portrayed in the show together. Also, it seems like Johnson is truly devastated by the loss of her friend, but she is not alone, many more people around the world are devastated at the news of his passing.
Another co-star of Frank who paid tribute to him is Austin St. John.
“’Once a ranger, always a ranger' ... thoughts and prayers,” St. John said.
This is a saying that became the slogan of the “Power Rangers” franchise as the years passed. St. John saying this is very fitting since he was the original red ranger and the team leader in the first “Power Rangers” series. The saying shows that even in death, Frank is still a power ranger in spirit.
It was not just his co-stars that were saddened by his death, but also the whole “Power Rangers” community.
"He has left behind a legacy and four kids who are probably devastated right now because their dad is gone. I couldn't imagine what they're feeling right now,” one of Frank's fans said. “Rest in peace Jason David Frank and long live the original green, white, red, and black ranger.”
Even though he is gone, his spirit still lives on in the hearts of his fans and children.