Jason David Frank

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.

Early life

Jason David Frank was born in Covina, California, a city in the county of Los Angeles. He attended Bonita High School. Jason 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.

Career

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. However, due to Frank's popularity with Ranger fans, he was brought back as the white Ranger again  Hawkins would take over on VR Troopers.

After 3 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 the Red Zeo Ranger 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. 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. 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).

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. On June 28, 2003, he was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame. 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. 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".

On August 21, 2009, Frank announced his signing with SuckerPunch Entertainment, 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 30th at the Houston Arena Theatre. He defeated Jonathon "the Mack Truck" Mack in the first round by omoplata submission. 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). 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. 

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. 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.

Frank announced on his Facebook fan page that he is now scheduled to make his professional debut on August 4, 2010 in Houston at "Puro Combate #1." He will be fighting at light-heavyweight. His opponent will be Jose Roberto Vasquez. Frank won his MMA Debut quickly at the time of 0:46 in the first round by a Rear Naked Choke Submission.

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 ended in divorce in 2001. He is now married to Tammie Frank with whom he has four children, Jenna Raye, Jacob, Hunter and Skye.

He did not attend MMPR co-star Thuy Trang's funeral because his older brother, Eric Frank, died at around the same time of illness at the age of 29. Eric 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 Kun 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).

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown [show]

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 MMA Debut (Pro, Heavyweight)

Amateur Mixed martial arts record

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

Win 3-0 James Willis KO (Knee) Texas Rage In The Cage: Cage Rage 7 May 8, 2010 1 0:23 Hidalgo, Texas

Win 2–0 Chris Rose TKO (Strikes) Lonestar Beatdown: Dallas February 19, 2010 1 2:09 Arlington, Texas

Win 1–0 Jonathon Mack Submission (Omoplata) Lonestar Beatdown: Houston January 30, 2010 1 1:07 Houston, Texas MMA Debut (Amateur)

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

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

Fall Guy: The John Stewart Story 2007 John Stewart

The One Warrior 2010 Jason

Blue Sun 2010

Television

Year Television program Role Notes

1993–1996 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/Red Zeo Ranger 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/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

(source:wikipedia)