| Jason David Frank | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 4, 1973 Covina, California, United States |
| Other names | Fearless |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 214 lb (97 kg; 15.3 st) |
| Division | Light Heavyweight |
| Style | Karate, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Fighting out of | Houston, Texas |
| Team | Silverback MMA |
| Rank | 7th degree black belt in Karate purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Years active |
1988-present 2010-present (MMA) |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 1 |
| Wins | 1 |
| By knockout | 0 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 0 |
| Losses | 0 |
| By knockout | 0 |
| By submission | 0 |
| By decision | 0 |
| Amateur career | |
| Total | 4 |
| Wins | 4 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 2 |
| Losses | 0 |
| By knockout | 0 |
| By submission | 0 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
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Jason David Frank (born September 4, 1973) is an American actor, martial artist and professional mixed martial arts fighter, best known for playing Tommy Oliver in Power Rangers.[1][2]
Contents |
Jason David Frank was born in Covina, California, a city in the county of Los Angeles. He attended Bonita High School. Frank first became interested in Martial Arts when he was young, and at the age of 4 he trained at The Red Dragon Karate School. When he was 12 he started teaching other children, and when he turned 18, he and a friend decided to buy the school. He then wanted to do martial arts in film so he pursued acting.[3]
Frank auditioned for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in 1993 when he was 19. He was cast in the role of Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger. He later became the White Ranger.
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 both Frank and Brad Hawkins, Hawkins was to replace Frank originally as the White Ranger on Power Rangers.[4][5] However, due to Frank's popularity with Ranger fans, he was brought back as the White Ranger again.[6] Hawkins would take over on VR Troopers.
After three seasons Mighty Morphin Power Rangers became Power Rangers: Zeo. The transition is part of the annual Ranger suit change to match the annual change of the Super Sentai series. Frank's character became the Red Zeo Ranger. The following year in Power Rangers: Turbo he became the first Red Turbo Ranger. During mid-season Frank and fellow cast members Johnny Yong Bosch, Nakia Burrise and Catherine Sutherland agreed to leave and were replaced.
After he left the series in 1997, Frank came back to Power Rangers as Zeo Ranger V in 2002 for the special 10th anniversary episode, entitled "Forever Red", in Power Rangers: Wild Force (reuniting with Austin St. John). He then reprised his role in 2004 in Power Rangers: Dino Thunder, as the Black Dino Ranger. This was a favor to Douglas Sloan.[7] He's joked that Saban and Disney are "both the same, they're cheap" but that he was impressed with the production crew for Dino Thunder.[8] He took a lot of time off from the season to return to Los Angeles, as he still had to manage Rising Sun Karate.
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 has also worn the most different colors of Power Rangers suits (green, white, red[twice], and black).
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.[9][10] On June 28, 2003, he was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame.[11] Frank appeared at the Arnold Classic on February 29, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio.
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, Illinois.[12] 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".[13]
On August 21, 2009, Frank announced his signing with SuckerPunch Entertainment,[14][15][16] a sports marketing and management company specializing in MMA. He began training with UFC lightweight Melvin Guillard. 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.[17][18][19][20] 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 Turtle robe. Frank defeated Rose in round 1 by TKO (Strikes).[21][22][23] 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 defeated Willis via KO in 23 seconds of the first round with a rising knee.[24]
Frank was scheduled to make his debut with Ultimate Warrior Challenge at their upcoming event on May 22 against James “Ray” Handy Jr. in a light heavyweight bout.[25] On May 21 Frank announced on his official Facebook fan page that James Handy was injured and Carlos Horn will replace him, changing the fight to a heavyweight bout. Frank defeated Horn in the first round by an armbar submission.[26] Since turning pro, Frank has expressed interest in signing a deal with Strikeforce and potentially fighting Herschel Walker.[27]
Frank announced on his Facebook fan page that he would be scheduled to make his professional debut on August 4, 2010 in Houston at "Puro Combate #1." He fought at heavyweight, with his opponent being Jose Roberto Vasquez. Frank won his pro MMA debut quickly at the time of 0:46 in the first round by a Rear Naked Choke Submission.[28][29] Frank was scheduled for a Light Heavyweight bout on December 9, 2010 at Puro Combate 3. The fight was canceled on December 8 due to his opponent not being medically cleared.
He was then scheduled to face Shawn Machado on July 22, 2011 at Legacy FC 7. However, due to a possible biceps tear the fight was postponed until possibly September.[30]
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 0 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 0 |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1-0 | Jose Roberto Vasquez | Submission (rear naked choke) | Texas Cage Fighting - Puro Combate 1 | August 4, 2010 | 1 | 0:46 | Houston, Texas, United States | Fought at Heavyweight |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 4-0 | Carlos Horn | Submission (armbar) | UWC 8: Judgement Day | May 22, 2010 | 1 | 0:24 | Fairfax, Virginia, United States | |
| Win | 3-0 | James Willis | KO (knee) | Texas Rage In The Cage: Cage Rage 7 | May 8, 2010 | 1 | 0:23 | Hidalgo, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Chris Rose | TKO (strikes) | Lonestar Beatdown: Dallas | February 19, 2010 | 1 | 2:09 | Arlington, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Jonathon Mack | Submission (omoplata) | Lonestar Beatdown: Houston | January 30, 2010 | 1 | 1:07 | Houston, Texas, United States | MMA Debut (Amateur) |
| Year | Award/Accomplishment |
|---|---|
| Present | seventh 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 |
| 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. |
| Film | Year | Portraying |
|---|---|---|
| Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie | 1995 | Tommy Oliver - White Power Ranger |
| Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie | 1997 | Tommy Oliver - Red Turbo Ranger |
| Paris | 2003 | Chad (uncredited) |
| The Junior Defenders | 2007 | Tommy Keen ** movie was made in 1997, but not released until 2007 |
| Fall Guy: The John Stewart Story | 2007 | John Stewart |
| The Blue Sun | 2010 | |
| The One Warrior | 2011 | Jason |
| Year | Television program | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–1995 | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers | Tommy Oliver/Green Power Ranger/White Power Ranger | Starring role |
| 1996 | VR Troopers/Cybertron | Adam Steele | Pilot episode |
| Power Rangers Zeo | Tommy Oliver/Zeo Ranger V | Starring role | |
| Family Matters | Skull | "Karate Kids" | |
| Sweet Valley High | A.J. | 4 episodes | |
| 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/Zeo Ranger V | "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 |