Jason David Frank

Jason David Frank

Frank at the 2013 Wizard World
New York Experience in Manhattan.
Born September 4, 1973
Covina, California
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight 214 lb (97 kg; 15.3 st)
Division Heavyweight
Fighting out of Houston, Texas
Team Silverback MMA
Rank      7th Degree Black Belt in Kyokushin 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]

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.[3][4] However, due to Frank's popularity with Ranger fans, he was brought back as the White Ranger again.[5] 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. During his time as the Black Dino Ranger he was always shown in long-sleeved shirts to cover his tattoos on his arms. This was also the case during "Forever Red" of Wild Force. Being the Black Dino Ranger was a favor to Douglas Sloan.[6] He has joked that Saban and Disney are "both the same, they're cheap" but that he was impressed with the production crew for Dino Thunder.[7] Frank reprised his role as Tommy Oliver in the season finale of Power Rangers Super Megaforce.

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.[8]

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.[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.

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.[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 Turtles 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 had announced on his official Facebook fan page that James Handy was injured and Carlos Horn would 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 cancelled.[30]

A day after CM Punk announced his UFC arrival, and Dana White reasoned that he would need a debut opponent with a similar record, Frank offered his services through Instagram and Facebook.[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 United States 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

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 United States Carlos Horn Submission (armbar) UWC 8: Judgement Day May 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 United States James Willis KO (knee) Texas Rage In The Cage: Cage Rage 7 May 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 United States Chris Rose TKO (strikes) Lonestar Beatdown: Dallas February 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 United States Jonathon Mack Submission (omoplata) Lonestar Beatdown: Houston January 30, 2010 1 1:07 Houston, Texas, United States MMA Debut (Amateur)

Accomplishments and awards

Year Award/Accomplishment
Present Seventh Degree Black Belt
June 28, 2003 Master of the Year (American Karate)
2006 "Ruff Man" Grand Champion
2006Gold Medal (MTIA) Master Toddys Full contact Muay Thai
January 17, 2013Guinness World Record (Most pine boards broken in freefall)

Rising Sun Karate accomplishments and 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

Television

Show Year Portraying
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 1993-1995 Tommy Oliver - Green/White Ranger
Cybertron 1994 Adam Steele - Cybertron
Power Rangers Zeo 1996 Tommy Oliver - Zeo Ranger 5-Red
Sweet Valley High 1996 A.J.
Family Matters 1996 Skull
Power Rangers Turbo 1997 Tommy Oliver - Red Turbo Ranger
Undressed 2000 Carl
Power Rangers Wild Force 2002 Tommy Oliver - Zeo Ranger 5-Red
Power Rangers Dino Thunder 2004 Dr. Tommy Oliver - Black Dino Ranger
Power Rangers Super Megaforce 2014 Tommy Oliver - Green/White Ranger

Film

Film Year Portraying
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie 1995 Tommy Oliver/The White Power Ranger
Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie 1997 Tommy Oliver/The 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 The One Warrior

References

  1. ↑ Sisario, Ben (2004-02-29). "FOR YOUNG VIEWERS; Those Mighty Power Rangers Just Keep On Morphing". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-08-07.
  2. ↑ McCormick, Patricia S. (1995-02-12). "TELEVISION; . . . And a Parents' Guide to the Politics of Angel Grove". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-08-07.
  3. ↑ "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!"". Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  4. ↑ CYBERTRON: The Original Pilot for VR Troopers, Starring Jason David Frank!!!
  5. ↑ ""Power Rangers Q & A at AFO X", 7.51 in". Youtube.com. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  6. ↑ "Q&A At Afo X". Youtube.com. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  7. ↑ "Q&A at AKO X Part 5, 4.02 in". Youtube.com. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  8. ↑ Fishman, Scott. "Pro wrestling legends, Power Rangers at Florida Supercon in July - Wrestling". MiamiHerald.com. Retrieved 2013-08-08.
  9. ↑ "Former 'Power Rangers' Star Set To Get In The Ring With UFC". Yahoo. 2010-06-22.
  10. ↑ "Not a Martial Ats Magazine: SP HAS OFFICIALLY MORPH’D MMA :: SuckerPunch Entertainment". Suckerpunchent.com. 2009-08-21. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  11. ↑ "BLOG: 2003 WKU HALL OF FAME JUNE 28, 2003 - Chateau at Camelback Tannersville, Pa". Needmywebsite.com. 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  12. ↑ "Power Ranger to fight in cage - Daily Egyptian, Other Sports". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 2008-06-30. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
  13. ↑ "Power Ranger a no show - Daily Egyptian, Sports". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 2008-03-15. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
  14. ↑ "Not a Martial Arts source: SP HAS OFFICIALLY MORPH’D MMA". Suckerpunchent.com. 2009-08-21. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  15. ↑ Hendricks, Maggie (2009-09-02). "Mighty Morphin Power Ranger morphs into an MMA fighter". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  16. ↑ Damon Martin, MMAWeekly.com (2009-09-02). "Jason Frank goes from Power Ranger to MMA fighter". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  17. ↑ "IT’S GO GO TIME! :: SuckerPunch Entertainment". Suckerpunchent.com. 2010-01-23. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  18. ↑ "POWER RANGER AMATEUR MMA DEBUT SET- MMA WEEKLY - Mixed Martial Arts & UFC News, Photos, Rankings & more". Mma Weekly. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  19. ↑ "Former Green Power Ranger makes MMA debut at Jan. 30 Lonestar Beatdown". Blogs.chron.com. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  20. ↑ "JDF WINS MMA DEBUT! :: SuckerPunch Entertainment". Suckerpunchent.com. 2010-02-01. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  21. ↑ "Legacy Fights". Legacyfightingchampionship.com. 2009-09-17. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  22. ↑ "Jason David Frank Lonestar Beatdown Feb 19 2010 - Arlington, TX". YouTube. 2010-02-19. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  23. ↑ "Jason David Frank Post Fight Interview - Lonestar Beatdown Dallas - 2/19/10". YouTube. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  24. ↑ "Photo Gallery". Texas Rage in the Cage. 2010-05-08. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  25. ↑ "UWC 8 - Judgement Day - May 22, 2010 - GMU Patriot Center - Fairfax, VA". Uwcmma.com. 2010-05-22. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  26. ↑ "Jason Frank Victorious - MMA Disputed". Chicagonow.com. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  27. ↑ "Jason David Frank turns pro, wants in Strikeforce". mmaweekly. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
  28. ↑ "JASON DAVID FRANK - Official Fan Page". Facebook.com. 2010-06-18. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  29. ↑
  30. ↑ Laminack, Barry. "Breaking News: Jason Frank vs Shawn Machado fight off". Thecagedoor.net. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
  31. ↑ "Green Power Ranger Wants to Go, Go and Fight CM Punk in his UFC Debut", by Anna Fogel, NESN.com

External links

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