| Jason David Frank | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jason David Frank September 4, 1973 Covina, California, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Shawna Frank (May 8, 1994 April 11, 2001) (divorced) Tammie Frank (May 17, 2003 - present) |
Jason David Frank (born September 4, 1973) is an American actor and martial artist, best known for playing Tommy Oliver in Power Rangers (1993-1997, 2004, and 2005 with 243 total episode appearances).
Contents |
Career
Frank appeared in the most Power Rangers episodes: 258 character appearances and 243 actual appearances. He also appeared in the most seasons: seven total (Mighty Morphin [3 seasons], Zeo, Turbo, Wild Force, and Dino Thunder). Frank came back to Power Rangers in the special 10th anniversary episode titled "Forever Red" in Power Rangers Wild Force (2002, reuniting with Austin St. John). Frank has also worn the most different colors of the Power Rangers suits (green, white, red and black).
Frank was supposed to be the lead character Ryan Steele in VR Troopers (originally called "Cybertron") and shot a pilot episode before being called back to Power Rangers. According to both Frank and Brad Hawkins, Hawkins was to replace Frank originally as the White Ranger on Power Rangers.[1][2] However, due to Frank's popularity with Ranger fans, it was decided that he would continue on as White Ranger while Hawkins would take over on Troopers.
Fighting and Martial Arts
With his knowledge of many different styles of martial arts, Frank collected the most practical applications, modified them with his own philosophies and created his own blend of American Karate, "Toso Kune Do".[1] On June 28, 2003, he was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame.[3] Frank appeared at the Arnold Classic on February 29, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio.
Mixed Martial Arts
Frank also has an interest in Mixed Martial Arts. He was scheduled to fight against Ron 'The Badger' McMasters on June 23, 2007, at the Williamson County Pavilion in Marion, IL.[4] However, Frank opted out of the fight since he did not appreciate the event getting changed from an MMA fight to an exhibition boxing match because his opponent was trained only in boxing, and because he felt that an exhibition match where both fighters are declared winners was "meaningless".[5]
On August 21, 2009, Frank announced his signing with SuckerPunch Entertainment,[6][7][8] a sports marketing and management company specializing in MMA. He is currently training with UFC lightweight Melvin Guillard, but his first fight has yet to be been announced.
On November 7th, 2009, Frank made an announcement on his facebook page stating "I am not doing MMA to boost my career or for publicity. This is what me and my brother who passed away several years ago wanted to do together. This is a personal thing"[9]
Personal life
Frank began training in martial arts at the age of four, earning a black belt by age 12, and eventually became an instructor. He has married twice—his first marriage to Shawna Frank ended in divorce in 2001, and they have three children: Jacob, Hunter and Skye. He is currently married to Tammie Frank with whom he has one child, Jenna Raye; he has also adopted Tammie's daughter Shayla.
He did not attend MMPR co-star Thuy Trang's funeral because his older brother, Erik Frank, died at around the same time of illness at the age of 29. Erik had appeared as Tommy's brother, David Trueheart, in several episodes of Power Rangers Zeo.
In 2006, he started a career in Muay Thai/MMA. He has a sixth-degree black belt and as of 2007, owns four karate schools under Rising Sun Karate, including the school Red Dragon Karate where he initially started his training. The RSKA teaches a style of Toso Kune Do, the form developed by Frank.
Frank has associations with both Louis D. Casamassa and his son Chris Casamassa (the latter of whom played Scorpion in Mortal Kombat).
Frank is listed as one of the guests officially slated to appear next summer at Power Morphicon, the second Power Rangers convention which is scheduled to be held in Los Angeles, California.
Accomplishments/Awards
| Year | Award/Accomplishment |
|---|---|
| Present | Sixth Degree Black Belt |
| 1988-1990 | Nationally Rated Competitor |
| June 28, 2003 | World Karate Union Hall of Fame |
| June 28, 2003 | Master of the Year(American Karate) |
| 2006 | "Ruff Man" Grand Champion |
| 2006 | Gold Medal (MTIA) Master Toddys Full contact Muay Thai |
Rising Sun Karate Accomplishments/Awards
| Year | Award/Accomplishment |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Hall of Fame Award – American Karate Kung Fu Federation |
| 2000 | Fastest Growing Karate School – Fast Track Award |
| 2000 | Educational Funding Company – Program Direct Award – Rising Sun Karate Academy |
| 2001 | Centurion Club Award |
| 2003 | Master of the Year Award – World Karate Federation |
| 2004 | Master of the Year for Free-Style Martial Arts – USA Martial Arts |
| 2005 | Arnold Schwarzenegger Classics Master Appreciation Award. |
| 2006 | One of America’s Top 10 Karate Schools – Awarded by President Nick Cokinos – Educational Funding Company |
| 2007 | Black Belt Hall of Fame Award – This award was given by Master Alan Goldberg in Atlantic City, New Jersey. |
| 2007 | Black Belt Hall of Fame – Most Successful Industry Leader. This award was given by Doctor Jim Thomas, 10th Degree Black Belt. |
Filmography
Film
| Film | Year | Portraying |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Guy: The John Stewart Story | 2007 | John Stewart |
| The Junior Defenders | 2007 | Tommy Keen |
| Paris | 2003 | Chad (uncredited) |
| Groupies (Weston Group) | 1998 | |
| Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie | 1997 | Tommy Oliver - Red Turbo Ranger |
| Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie | 1995 | Tommy Oliver - White Power Ranger |
| Burning Desires | 1994 |
Television
| Year | Television program | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-1996 | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers | Tommy Oliver/Green Power Ranger/White Power Ranger | Starring role |
| 1996 | Power Rangers Zeo | Tommy Oliver/Red Zeo Ranger | Starring role |
| Family Matters | Skull | "Karate Kids" | |
| VR Troopers/Cybertron | Adam Steele | Pilot episode | |
| Sweet Valley High | A.J. | "Rock Around the Block" | |
| "Lofty Ambitions" | |||
| "Shakes, Fries & Videotape" | |||
| "A Star Is Torn" | |||
| 1997 | Power Rangers: Turbo | Tommy Oliver/Red Turbo Ranger | Starring role |
| 1997 | Meego | Karate Sensei | "Magic Parker" |
| 2000 | Undressed | Carl | Guest star; appeared with Alyson Kiperman from Power Rangers: Wild Force |
| 2002 | Power Rangers: Wild Force | Tommy Oliver/Red Zeo Ranger | "Forever Red"; reunited with MMPR co-star Austin St. John and eight other Red Rangers |
| 2002 | The Residents of Washington Heights | Dr. Blaine Peterson | Guest star |
| 2004 | Power Rangers Dino Thunder | Dr. Tommy Oliver/Black Dino Ranger | Starring role |
| 2005 | Ultimate Goals | Himself | Guest star |
References
- ^ THE POWER RANGERS ZEO NEWSLETTER - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE POWER RANGER CLUB - ISSUE #62 -- MAY 8, 1996 - "MAN, THEY'RE NEVER GONNA BELIEVE THIS ON THE INTERNET!"
- ^ CYBERTRON: The Original Pilot for VR Troopers, Starring Jason David Frank!!!
- ^ 2003 WKU HALL OF FAME JUNE 28, 2003 - Chateau at Camelback Tannersville, Pa.
- ^ Power Ranger to fight in cage - Daily Egyptian, Other Sports
- ^ Power Ranger a no show - Daily Egyptian, Sports
- ^ SP HAS OFFICIALLY MORPH’D MMA
- ^ Mighty Morphin Power Ranger morphs into an MMA fighter
- ^ Jason Frank goes from Power Ranger to MMA fighter
- ^ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Orange-CA/jason-david-frank/58491521080?ref=nf#/pages/Orange-CA/jason-david-frank/58491521080?v=feed&story_fbid=305268680233
External links
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