Jason David Frank

Vorlage:Infobox martial artist Jason David Frank (born September 4, 1973) is an American actor and martial artist, best known for playing Tommy Oliver in Power Rangers (1993–1997, 2002 and 2004, with 243 total episode actual appearances and 258 character appearances ).

Early life

Jason David Frank was born in Covina, California, a city county in Los Angeles. His father Ray is of Tohono O'odham Native american ancestry and his mother Janice is Caucasian. He attended Bonita High School. Jason first got 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. Due to storyline changes, 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, it was decided that he would continue on as White Ranger while Hawkins would take over on 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 castmembers Johnny Yong Bosch, Nakia Burrise and Catherine Sutherland agreed to leave and were replaced.

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). After he left the series in 1997, Frank came back to Power Rangers 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. Frank has also worn the most different colors of Power Rangers suits (green, white, red, 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".[1] 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 is currently training with UFC lightweight Melvin Guillard. Jason David Frank made his much anticipated MMA debut versus Jonathon "the Mack Truck" Mack January 30 at the Houston Arena Theatre at Lonestar Beatdown. He defeated Mack in the first round by omoplata submission. Frank is scheduled to face Chris Rose at Lonestar Beatdown: Dallas on February 19 in Dallas,Texas.

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 to Shawna Frank ended in divorce in 2001, and they have three children: Jacob, Hunter and Skye. He is currently married to Tammie Frank with whom he has one child, Jenna Raye; he has also adopted Tammie's daughter Shayla. He also has numerous tattoos on his chest, arms and back.

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

Result	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
		Vorlage:Flagicon Chris Rose		Lonestar Beatdown: Dallas				Vorlage:Flagicon Dallas, Texas
align="center" Vorlage:Yes2xWin	1–0	Vorlage:Flagicon SilvaJonathan Mack	Submission (Omoplata)	Lonestar Beatdown: Houston		1	1:28	Vorlage:Flagicon Houston, Texas	MMA Debut

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
Groupies (Weston Group)	1998
Paris	2003	Chad (uncredited)
The Junior Defenders	2007	Tommy Keen
Fall Guy: The John Stewart Story	2007	John Stewart

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

External links

• Vorlage:Imdb name
• Rising Sun Karate Academy
• Jason David Frank Official Facebook Fan Page
• Jesus Didn't Tap - MMA clothing line