Jason David Frank, who first gained popularity through one of the famous children’s series on television, Power Rangers. Frank first takes on the role of ‘Green Ranger’ Tommy Oliver in 1993, for the first series. Initially, the Power Rangers production crew only suggested Frank appear in 10 episodes. However, Frank’s popularity begins to rise. He starts receiving offers to star in different rangers during the 24 years of the television series.
‘Green Ranger’ starts with one of six villain characters masked from head to toe with excellent kung fu skills. After that, he also became the Power Rangers’ new leader and held the role for three seasons, whole 123 episodes. The Ranger character, played by Frank, is beloved. That is what causes ‘Power Rangers’ often to release the latest season of the television series.
Among the Ranger characters he plays are ‘Red Zeo,’ ‘Red Turbo,’ ‘Black Dino Thunder,’ ‘Super Megaforce,’ ‘Super Ninja Steel,’ and ‘Hyperforce.’
Jason David Frank’s Life Journey
Jason David Frank was born on September 4, 1973, in Covina, California, to a couple Janice Christine Soter and
Ray Frank. Although Frank is a Christian, he only started attending church after the death of his younger brother at the age of 29 in 2001. Frank attended Bonita High School in La Verne, California, from 1987 to 1991.
Frank is often known as ‘Tommy’ because of the character he played in Power Rangers. It’s because ‘Tommy’ is the longest-standing character in the Power Rangers series. Frank’s height is 5’10” (around 184 cm). It makes him the tallest member of the Power Rangers in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993) line-up.
Frank’s penchant for martial arts paid off when he held a black belt in various self-defense arts. He has a black belt in Wado-Ryu Karate, a belt in Judo, a black belt in Taekwondo, an 8th Dan Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiujutsu. He also has an Ajarn Degree in Muay Thai. Not only that, but he also learns Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do, and Aikido.
He is the founder of the martial art ‘Toso Kune Do’ (Way of the Fighting Fist). At the same time, he also involved himself in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and is the owner of MMA merchandise, ‘Jesus Didn’t Tap.’ The name refers to tapping out with a signal to stop wrestling. In 2008, Patrick Hutton supported him in creating his clothing brand.
In 2013, Frank held the Guinness World Record for successfully breaking a 1-inch thick pine board during freefall. Frank first exposed himself to skydiving while involved with the filming of Power Rangers. He also managed to break the previous record by breaking seven pine boards.
He married his first wife in 1994, Tammie Frank. Jacob, Hunter, and Skye are such a blessing in his first marriage. However, Frank and Tammie divorced in 2003. His second marriage is to Shawna Frank, and they’re blessed with Jenna.
Jason Frank’s Timeline as an Actor
Frank also acts in other television series. There are VR Troopers (Virtual Reality Troopers/Cybertron), Sweet Valley High, Family Matters, Undressed, Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe, and My Morphing Life (the series is still ongoing). He is also a voice actor for Transformers: Titans Return (as Emissary) and We Bare Bears (as Silver Bear).
Not only that, but Frank also acted in several films such as Paris (2003), The Junior Defenders (2007), Fall Guy: The John Stewart Story (2007), The Blue Sun (2010), Crammed 2: Hoaching (2011), Making Fun: The Story of Funko (2018) and his last film – Legend of the White Dragon which will be in cinemas in 2023.
Sources: IMDb, TMZ, Power Rangers Official