Jason David Frank, best known for his role as Tommy Oliver in the popular children’s series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993-1995), passed away on November 19th, 2022. He played the red ranger in Power Rangers Zeo (1996) and Power Rangers Turbo (1997). Frank made a return to the Power Rangers franchise as the black power ranger in Power Rangers Dino Thunder (2004).
Besides acting, Jason David Frank was a devoted martial artist and had a professional MMA career. Frank had knowledge of many different styles of martial arts, including Shōtōkan, Wadō-ryū, Taekwondo, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, and Aikido.
He has black belts in Taekwondo, Wado-Ryu karate, judo, and an 8th-degree black belt in Shotokan karate. Moreover, he founded a martial arts school, Rising Sun Karate Academy, to teach his own blend of martial arts called Tose Kune Do, along with his business partner and fellow martial artist, Rick Herbster.
Martial Arts Background
With his knowledge of many different styles of martial arts that include Shōtōkan, Wadō-ryū, Taekwondo, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do, and Aikido, Frank collected the most practical applications, modified them with his own philosophies and created his own blend of American Karate, "Toso Kune Do". On June 28, 2003, he was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame.
In January 2013, Jason David Frank became the Guinness World Record Holder for most 1 inch pine board broken during freefall.
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MMA Career
On August 21, 2009, Frank officially announced his signing with SuckerPunch Entertainment, a sports marketing and management company specializing in MMA.
Frank made his much anticipated MMA debut for the United States Amateur Combat Association at the company's first event "Lonestar Beatdown: Houston" on January 30 at the Houston Arena Theatre. He defeated Jonathon "the Mack Truck" Mack in the first round by omoplata submission.
Frank fought in his second fight at Lonestar Beatdown: Dallas on February 19 in Arlington, Texas. His opponent was Chris Rose who made his ring entrance wearing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles robe. Frank defeated Rose in round 1 by TKO (strikes).
On May 8, 2010, he fought for the Texas Rage in the Cage Amateur Association "Cage Rage 7" in State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. His opponent was James Willis.
Frank was scheduled to make his debut with Ultimate Warrior Challenge at their upcoming event on May 22 against James "Ray" Handy Jr. Frank was scheduled for a Light heavyweight bout on December 9, 2010 at Puro Combate 3.
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He was then scheduled to face Shawn Machado on July 22, 2011 at Legacy FC 7.
Jason David Frank's MMA Record:
- Amateur MMA: 4-0
- Professional MMA: 1-0
Jason David Franks entire MMA career.
MMA Record Details
Here's a detailed look at Jason David Frank's MMA record:
Amateur MMA Record
| Date | Event | Opponent | Result | Method | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 30, 2010 | Lonestar Beatdown: Houston | Jonathon "the Mack Truck" Mack | Win | Omoplata Submission | 1 |
| February 19, 2010 | Lonestar Beatdown: Dallas | Chris Rose | Win | TKO (Strikes) | 1 |
| May 8, 2010 | Texas Rage in the Cage Amateur Association "Cage Rage 7" | James Willis | Win | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | Ultimate Warrior Challenge | James "Ray" Handy Jr. | Win | N/A | N/A |
Professional MMA Record
| Date | Event | Opponent | Result | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Legacy FC 7 | Shawn Machado | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
After a biceps injury pulled him out of his second professional fight, Frank never competed in MMA again. Every so often he would stump for a bout against other novelty fighters like C.M. Punk, but nothing ever came of it.
Other Media Appearances
Frank was cast in the role of Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Frank was a huge fan of professional wrestling and Vince McMahon wanted him and the other Power Rangers cast members to appear on WWF programming to promote Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie for a few months.
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Frank was supposed to be the lead character Adam Steele in VR Troopers (originally called Cybertron) and shot a pilot episode before being called back to Power Rangers.
According to Frank and Brad Hawkins, Hawkins' character was originally going to replace Tommy Oliver as the White Ranger in Power Rangers. However, due to Tommy Oliver's popularity with Power Rangers fans, Frank was brought back, with Tommy Oliver becoming the White Ranger. Hawkins would then take over the role of Ryan Steele on VR Troopers, who was originally named Adam Steele.
After three seasons, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers transitioned into Power Rangers Zeo to match the annual change of the Super Sentai series. The following year in Power Rangers Turbo, his character became the first Red Turbo Ranger.
After leaving the series in 1997, in 2002 Frank returned to Power Rangers as the Red Zeo Ranger for the special 10th-anniversary episode, entitled "Forever Red", of Power Rangers Wild Force. This episode brought back ten former Red Rangers and reunited him with Austin St.
Frank had a cameo role in the 2017 film Power Rangers, as a citizen of Angel Grove, alongside fellow Power Rangers actress Amy Jo Johnson. In 2018, he reprised his role as Tommy in episode 10 of Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel for the 25th anniversary of Power Rangers.
In 2016, Frank was cast in the web series Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe, based on the Valiant Universe, as Bloodshot. The series was released in 2018 to positive reception from fans.
The film Legend of the White Dragon launched on Kickstarter in 2020. Initially, it was going to be a mini-series or fan film, but its popularity caused it to develop into a full-feature film. The film includes past Power Rangers performers, such as Frank, Jason Faunt, and Ciara Hanna. Other cast members include Mark Dacascos, Michael Madsen, Andrew Byron Bachelor, and Jenna Frank. The movie wrapped in 2021, and is currently in post-production. It was set to release in March 2023, but after Frank's death in 2022, the film was rescheduled to be released in September 2024.
On January 17, 2023, the first footage of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always was released on YouTube, showing the original Green Ranger. On March 6, the YouTube channel MrWeenieProductions posted audio recorded from a livestream from the Bat in the Sun channel, run by a friend of Frank's.
In 2017, he was targeted by a man named Matthew Sterling while attending Phoenix Comicon. Police were able to arrest Sterling before he got near Frank, after being tipped off due to social media threats made by Sterling.
On November 19, 2022, Frank was found dead by suicide in a hotel in Houston, Texas. His wife Tammie, who was also staying at the hotel, subsequently explained that Frank had been struggling with depression and other mental health issues.