For decades, young kids around the country watched the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers fight evil and save the day. However, the Power Rangers weren’t your average superheroes — they were a group of teenagers who used their powers to morph into their superhero personas. So, they weren’t able to just save the world, they also had to deal with everyday teenage problems.
The Power Rangers were a group of six teenagers — Tommy Oliver (the Green Ranger), Kimberly Hart (the Pink Ranger), Zack Taylor (the Black Ranger), Billy Cranston (the Blue Ranger), Trini Kwan (the Yellow Ranger), and Jason Lee Scott (the Red Ranger).
Sadly, we are now learning that one of the actors who were essential to the Power Rangers has died. Actor Jason David Frank, who played Tommy Oliver, AKA The Green Ranger, has died at the young age of 49.
News of Frank’s death was first reported by TMZ:
The actor and mixed martial artist died in Texas, according to his rep Justine Hunt. Sources with direct knowledge tell us his death was the result of suicide.
JDF is best known as Tommy Oliver from the original run of the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” franchise, dating back to the kids series’ debut in 1993 … when he was introduced as one of six crime/monster-fighting superheroes, masked head to toe with kung-fu skills.
Frank went on to reprise his role as Tommy in several adaptions of ‘Power Rangers’ — including ‘Wild Force,’ ‘Turbo,’ ‘Zeo,’ ‘Dino Thunder,’ ‘Megaforce,’ ‘Ninja Steel,’ ‘HyperForce,’ and more. He’s been a Red Ranger, a Black Ranger and a Green Ranger anew. JDF is a fan favorite Power Ranger … which is why he’s returned to the franchise time and again.
Jason’s rep Justine tells TMZ … “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. He loved his family, friends and fans very much. He will truly be missed.”
The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers were created by Saban Entertainment and became a part of The Walt Disney Company in the early 2000s. Disney produced seven seasons of Power Rangers and a video game and expanded the Power Rangers franchise.
The Power Rangers are now owned by Hasbro.