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Jason David Frank
Jason David Frank (44471975230) (cropped).jpg
Frank at the Louisville Supercon in 2018
Born (1973-09-04)September 4, 1973
Covina, California, U.S.
Died November 19, 2022(2022-11-19) (aged 49)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight 214 lb (97 kg)
Division Heavyweight
Style Toso Kune Do
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Houston, Texas, U.S.
Team Silverback MMA
Rank 8th Dan Black Belt in Shotokan Karate
Black Belt in Wado-ryu Karate
Black Belt in Taekwondo
Black Belt in Judo
Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Ajarn Degree in Muay Thai
Years active 2010 (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total 1
Wins 1
By submission 1
Losses 0
Amateur MMA record
Total 4
Wins 4
By knockout 2
By submission 2
Losses 0
Children 4
last updated on: April 28, 2010

Jason David Frank (September 4, 1973 – November 19, 2022) was an American actor and a skilled martial artist. He was best known for playing Tommy Oliver in the TV show Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and other Power Rangers series.

Early Life

Jason David Frank was born in Covina, California, on September 4, 1973.

His Acting Career

Becoming a Power Ranger

Frank became famous for his role as Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger. This role was first planned for only 14 episodes. But fans loved his character so much that he was brought back. He then became the White Ranger and the new leader of the Power Rangers team.

Frank was also considered for a main role in another show called VR Troopers. However, because Tommy Oliver was so popular, Frank returned to Power Rangers instead.

Changing Ranger Colors

After three seasons, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers changed into Power Rangers Zeo. In this new series, Frank's character became the Red Zeo Ranger.

The next year, in Power Rangers Turbo, he became the first Red Turbo Ranger. During this season, Frank and some other cast members decided to leave the show.

Returning to the Power Rangers

Even after leaving, Frank came back to Power Rangers several times.

In August 2022, Frank announced that he had retired from the Power Rangers series.

Other Projects

Frank appeared in a web series called Super Power Beatdown. In 2013, he played the White Ranger fighting Scorpion from Mortal Kombat. In 2015, he played the Green Ranger fighting Ryu from Street Fighter.

He also starred in a web reality series about his life called My Morphing Life.

Frank was part of a film called Legend of the White Dragon. This movie started as a small project and grew into a full-length film. It includes other actors from Power Rangers. The movie finished filming in 2021 and is expected to be released in 2023.

Fighting and Martial Arts

Toso Kune Do
Focus Hybrid
Hardness Full-contact
Country of origin United States
Creator Jason David Frank
Parenthood Karate (Shōtōkan, Wado-ryu), Judo, Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Olympic sport No

Jason David Frank was a highly skilled martial artist. He knew many different styles, including Shōtōkan Karate, Wadō-ryū, Taekwondo, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do, and Aikido.

He used his knowledge to create his own style of American Karate called "Toso Kune Do." This name means "Way of the Fist-Fighter." In 2003, he was honored by being inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame.

In 2013, Frank temporarily held a Guinness World Record. He broke seven 1-inch pine boards while falling through the air. This broke the old record of two boards. However, his record was broken a few months later by someone who broke twelve boards.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

6.28.13JasonDavidFrankByLuigiNovi1
Frank at the 2013 Wizard World New York Experience, posing with a Green Power Ranger helmet

In 2009, Frank announced he would start fighting in MMA. He trained with professional fighters.

He had his first amateur MMA fight on January 30, 2010. He won by using a submission move called an omoplata. He won his next three amateur fights as well. One win was by TKO (punches) and another by KO (knee). His final amateur win was by an armbar submission.

Frank made his professional MMA debut on August 4, 2010. He won this fight quickly in the first round by using a Rear Naked Choke submission.

Personal Life

Jason David Frank by Gage Skidmore
Frank at the 2017 Phoenix Comicon

Jason David Frank was a Christian. He said he started going to church after his brother passed away.

He had four children. He married his first wife, Shawna, in 1994, and they had two sons and a daughter before divorcing in 2001. In 2003, he married his second wife, Tammie, and they had one daughter. They were in the process of reconciling when he passed away.

Death

Jason David Frank passed away in Houston, Texas, on November 19, 2022, at the age of 49. He was laid to rest in Forest Lawn – Covina Hills in his hometown of Covina, California, near his brother and mother.

Filmography

Television Shows

Title Year Role Notes
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 1993–1996 Tommy Oliver – Green Ranger / White Ranger 124 episodes
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Alpha's Magical Christmas 1994 Tommy Oliver Video short
Cybertron Adam Steele – Cybertron 1 episode (Pilot)
Power Rangers Zeo 1996 Tommy Oliver – Zeo Ranger V Red 50 episodes
Sweet Valley High A.J. 4 episodes
Family Matters Skull Episode: "Karate Kids"
Power Rangers Turbo 1997 Tommy Oliver / Red Turbo Ranger 19 episodes
Power Rangers: The Lost Episode 1999 Tommy Oliver Archival footage
Power Rangers Wild Force 2002 Tommy Oliver / Zeo Ranger V Red Credited as Jason Frank
Episode: "Forever Red"
Power Rangers Dino Thunder 2004 Dr. Tommy Oliver / Black Dino Ranger 38 episodes (12 voice only)
Power Rangers Super Megaforce 2014 Dr. Tommy Oliver / Green Ranger / White Ranger Episode: "Legendary Battle"
My Morphing Life 2014–2022 Himself Web series
Transformers: Titans Return 2017–2018 Emissary
(voice)
Web series
Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe 2018 Ray Garrison / Bloodshot Web series
Power Rangers Hyperforce Dr. Tommy Oliver / Black Dino Ranger
Lord Drakkon
Web series;
Episodes: "Dr. Tommy Oliver Returns"
"Shattered Grid, part 2"
Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel Dr. Tommy Oliver / Green Ranger / White Ranger / Zeo Ranger V Red / Black Dino Ranger / Robot Tommy Episode: "Dimensions in Danger"
We Bare Bears 2019 Silver Bear
(voice)
Episode: "Imaginary Friend"

Movies

Film Year Portraying Notes
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie 1995 Tommy Oliver / The White Power Ranger
Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie 1997 Tommy Oliver / The Red Turbo Ranger
Paris 2003 Chad (uncredited)
The Junior Defenders 2007 Tommy Keen
Fall Guy: The John Stewart Story 2007 John Stewart
The Blue Sun 2010
Crammed 2: Hoaching 2011 Christopher Crammed
One Warrior 2011
Power Rangers 2017 Angel Grove Citizen Cameo
Power Rangers: Legacy Wars – Street Fighter Showdown 2018 Tommy Oliver
Making Fun: The Story of Funko 2018 Himself Documentary
Legend of the White Dragon 2023 Erik Reed / White Dragon Final role

Video Games

Video Game Year Portraying Notes
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie 1995 Tommy / White Ranger Voice
Piper 1996 Piper Windsong Video capture
Power Rangers Dino Thunder 2004 Dr. Tommy Oliver / Black Dino Ranger Voice
Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid 2019 Tommy Oliver / Lord Drakkon / Green Ranger / White Ranger Voice

Mixed Martial Arts Record

Professional Fights

Professional record breakdown
1 match 1 win 0 losses
By knockout 0 0
By submission 1 0
By decision 0 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 1–0 Jose Roberto Vasquez Submission (rear-naked choke) Texas Cage Fighting – Puro Combate 1 August 4, 2010 1 0:46 Houston, Texas, United States

Amateur Fights

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 1–0 Jonathon Mack Submission (omoplata) Lonestar Beatdown: Houston January 30, 2010 1 1:07 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 2–0 Chris Rose TKO (punches) Lonestar Beatdown: Dallas February 19, 2010 1 2:09 Arlington, Texas, United States
Win 3–0 James Willis KO (knee) Texas Rage In The Cage: Cage Rage 7 May 8, 2010 1 0:23 McAllen, Texas, United States
Win 4–0 Carlos Horn Submission (armbar) UWC 8: Judgement Day May 22, 2010 1 0:21 Fairfax, Virginia, United States

Images for kids

See also

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