Jason David Frank

Jason David Frank
Frank at the 2013 Wizard World New York Experience in Manhattan.
Born	(1973-09-04) September 4, 1973 Covina, California
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight	214 lb (97 kg; 15.3 st)
Division	Light Heavyweight
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
last updated on: April 28, 2010

Jason David Frank (born September 4, 1973) is an American actor and professional mixed martial artist notable for his portrayal of Tommy Oliver in Power Rangers.^[1][2]

Early life

Frank was born in Covina, California, a city in the county of Los Angeles. He attended Bonita High School. He became interested in Martial Arts when he was young; and at the age of 4, he trained at the Red Dragon Karate School. At 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]

Career

Power Rangers

Frank originally auditioned for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in the pilot as the Red Ranger. He later tried-out again in 1993 when he was 19. He was cast in the role of Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger. His character 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. The character, Adam Steele was renamed Ryan Steele.

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]

Frank has expressed interest in developing a Green Ranger solo series or feature film after an encounter with Stan Lee at a comic book convention.^[9]

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.^[10][11] On June 28, 2003, he was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame.^[12] 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, Illinois.^[13] 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".^[14]

On August 21, 2009, Frank announced his signing with SuckerPunch Entertainment,^[15][16][17] 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.^{[18][19][20][21]} 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).^[22][23][24] 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.^[25]

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.^[26] 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.^[27] Since turning pro, Frank has expressed interest in signing a deal with Strikeforce and potentially fighting Herschel Walker.^[28]

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.^[29][30] 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.^[31]

Mixed martial arts record

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	1–0	Jose Roberto Vasquez	Submission (rear naked choke)	Texas Cage Fighting - Puro Combate 1	02010-08-04August 4, 2010	1	0:46	Houston, Texas, United States	Fought at Heavyweight

Amateur mixed martial arts record

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	4–0	Carlos Horn	Submission (armbar)	UWC 8: Judgement Day	02010-05-22May 22, 2010	1	0:24	Fairfax, Virginia, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	3–0	James Willis	KO (knee)	Texas Rage In The Cage: Cage Rage 7	02010-05-08May 8, 2010	1	0:23	McAllen, Texas, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	2–0	Chris Rose	TKO (strikes)	Lonestar Beatdown: Dallas	02010-02-19February 19, 2010	1	2:09	Arlington, Texas, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	1–0	Jonathon Mack	Submission (omoplata)	Lonestar Beatdown: Houston	02010-01-30January 30, 2010	1	1:07	Houston, Texas, United States	MMA Debut (Amateur)

Accomplishments and awards

Rising Sun Karate Accomplishments and awards

Filmography

Television

Film

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jason David Frank.

• Professional MMA record for Jason David Frank from Sherdog
• Jason David Frank at the Internet Movie Database
• Jason David Frank's channel on YouTube
• Jason David Frank on Twitter