Jason David Frank obit

 

‘Power Rangers’ Star Jason David Frank Dead at 49

He was not on the list.

Power Rangers alum Jason David Frank is dead at age 49.

Frank’s rep, Justine Hunt, confirmed the news of the actor’s passing to TMZ on Sunday, November 20. “Please respect the privacy of his family and friends during this horrible time as we come to terms with the loss of such a wonderful human being,” she told the outlet. “He loved his family, friends and fans very much. He will truly be missed.”

Frank’s cause of death has not been confirmed.

His talent agent, Brian Butler-Au, shared a tribute on Sunday as well. “Very sad to hear about my friend and client Jason David Frank’s passing,” Butler-Au wrote via Instagram. “Jason was a martial artist best known for playing Tommy in the Power Rangers. He was a true martial artist and I had the pleasure of managing him for the fights he competed in. If anyone you know may be depressed please check on them.”

The Texas native is best known for his role in the Power Rangers franchise, starting with the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV show. Though he was only meant to appear in 14 episodes initially, Frank starred in 124 episodes from 1993 to 1996 as Tommy Oliver, who was the Green Ranger before becoming the White Ranger.

He transitioned to Power Rangers Zeo in 1996, where he played Tommy for 50 episodes, and the following year was on Power Rangers Turbo for 19 episodes. During his initial tenure, Frank also appeared in the theatrical films, 1995’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie and 1997’s Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie.

The star returned the 10-year anniversary special “Forever Red” on Power Rangers Wild Force in 2002. Then, he made a comeback as Dr. Tommy Oliver on Power Rangers Dino Thunder in 2004.

After a decade-long absence, Frank returned for an episode of Power Rangers Super Megaforce in 2014 and then appeared in 2018’s Power Rangers Hyperforce and Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel.

He made a cameo in the 2017 Power Rangers movie alongside Amy Jo Johnson (who played Kimberly, the Pink Ranger) as an unnamed onlooker.

Outside of the beloved action franchise, Frank was a skilled mixed martial artist, with experience in karate, taekwondo, judo, jiu-jitsu and muay thai.

Frank is survived by four children. He and Shawna Frank were married from 1994 to 2001 and shared two sons, Hunter and Jacob, and a daughter, Skye. He and Tammie Frank married in 2003 and shared a daughter, Jenna.

Filmography

Television

Jason David Frank television work Title   Year       Role       Notes

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers                1993–1996          Tommy Oliver – Green Ranger / White Ranger

also portrayed Tom Oliver (Green Ranger clone) / The White Stranger (Wild West ancestor)           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.        

Family Matters Skull      

Power Rangers Turbo     1997      Tommy Oliver/Red Turbo Ranger              19 Episodes

Power Rangers: The Lost Episode              1999      Tommy Oliver    archival footage

Undressed          2000      Carl       

Power Rangers Wild Force            2002      Tommy Oliver / Zeo Ranger 5-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 5-Red / Black Dino Ranger / Robot Tommy       Episode: "Dimensions in Danger"

We Bare Bears   2019      Silver Bear

(voice) Episode: “Imaginary Friend”

 

Film

Jason David Frank film work 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   

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

Jason David Frank video game work 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