The Green Ranger’s popularity saw Tommy eventually become the leader of the Power Rangers, donning the mantle of the White Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and the Red Ranger for both Power Rangers Zeo and Power Rangers Turbo. Tommy would return in Power Rangers Wild Force for the fan favorite “Forever Red” episode, and he had a prolonged stint as the Black Ranger in Power Rangers Dino Thunder. The last time Jason David Frank played Tommy Oliver on TV was Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel. In terms of video games, his last appearance was in the fighting game Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, which launched in 2019.
According to a report by TMZ, Jason David Frank died on November 20 in Texas at the age of 49. TMZ’s sources claim that Frank committed suicide. Additional details have not been revealed at the time of this writing. Frank is survived by his four children.
While Frank was best known for his role as Tommy Oliver in the Power Rangers franchise, he had other acting credits as well, appearing in shows like Family Matters, Sweet Valley High, and Undressed. Frank also had a notable MMA career, where he went undefeated with four amateur wins, one professional win, and zero losses.
Frank’s video game appearances mainly consisted of Power Rangers games. Besides the previously mentioned Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, Frank also played Tommy Oliver in the game adaptation of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie and the 2004 game Power Rangers Dino Thunder. Frank has one non-Power Rangers video game credit to his name in the form of the interactive movie Piper.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Helpline at 988.
Source: TMZ
