Jason David Frank
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| Jason David Frank | |
| Born | Jason David Frank September 4, 1973 Covina, California, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Spouse(s) | Tammie Frank (May 17, 2003 - present) 1 child Shawna Frank (May 8, 1994 April 11, 2001) (divorced) 2 children |
Jason David Frank (born September 4, 1973) is a American actor and martial artist, best known for playing Tommy in Power Rangers (1993-1997, 2004, and 2005 with 243 total episode appearances).
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[edit] 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).Jason David Frank made it clear he wanted to leave and there was a lot of discussion on how to go forward, keeping the originals and making Adam red plus a new character or a whole new team. Johnny said he saw in the newspaper an actor's call for new rangers but Catherine has said recently they all finally just decided to move on from the show. 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.[citation needed] 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.
[edit] 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". Most recently, on June 28, 2003, he was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame.[citation needed] Frank appeared at the Arnold Classic on February 29th 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. Frank has showed 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.[1] The fight never took place, however, as the rules were changed to an exhibition boxing match. Frank opted out due to his belief that the fight would be commissioned under MMA rules instead of strictly fists.[2]
[edit] Personal life
Frank began training in martial arts at the age of four, earning a black belt by age 12 and became an instructor. He has married twice: Shawna Frank; the couple had two children, Jacob and Hunter, and divorced in 2001; and is currently married to Tammie Frank, with whom he had one child, Skye.
Frank did not attend MMPR co-star Thuy Trang's funeral because his older brother, Erik Frank, died around the same time at 29 of illness. Erik had appeared as Tommy's brother, David Trueheart, in several episodes of Power Rangers Zeo.
Frank has a sixth degree black belt and owns, as of 2007, four karate schools under Rising Sun Karate, which includes the school Red Dragon Karate, where he initially started his training. The RSKA teaches a style of Toso Kune Do, which Frank is the founder of.
Frank started a Muay Thai/MMA career in 2006.
Frank has associations with both Louis and Chris Casamassa (the latter of whom is famous for playing Scorpion in Mortal Kombat).
[edit] 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 |
[edit] 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. |
[edit] Filmography
[edit] 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 |
[edit] Television
| Year | Television program | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-1996 | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers | Tommy Oliver/Green Power Ranger/White Power Ranger | ||
| 1996 | Power Rangers Zeo | Tommy Oliver/Red Zeo Ranger/Tomacula | ||
| Karate Kids | Skull | |||
| Family Matters | Skull, Piranha Gang Member | |||
| VR Troopers/Cybertron | Adam Steele (Pilot Only) | |||
| Rock Around the Block | A.J. | |||
| Lofty Ambitions | A.J. | |||
| Shakes, Fries & Videotape | A.J. | |||
| A Star Is Torn | A.J. | |||
| Sweet Valley High | A.J. | TV series | ||
| 1997 | Power Rangers: Turbo | Tommy Oliver/Red Turbo Ranger | TV series | |
| 1997 | Meego | Karate Sensei | TV series | |
| 2000 | Undressed | Carl | TV series (Season 3)(appeared with Alyson Kiperman from Power Rangers: Wild Force | |
| 2002 | Power Rangers: Wild Force (Forever Red) | Tommy Oliver/Red Zeo Ranger | reunited with MMPR co-star Austin St. John and eight other Red Rangers | |
| 2002 | The Residents of Washington Heights | Dr. Blaine Peterson | TV Series | |
| 2004 | Power Rangers Dino Thunder | Dr. Tommy Oliver/Black Dino Ranger | TV series | |
| 2005 | Ultimate Goals | Himself | TV series |
