Jason David Frank, popularly known as Green Power Ranger Tommy Oliver from the 1990s children's series ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’, died at the age of 49. His manager Justine Hunt broke the news with a statement on Sunday, but did not mention the cause of death or say when he died. She just asked for the ‘privacy of his family and friends during this horrible time as we come to terms with the loss of such a wonderful human being.’
Walter Emmanuel Jones, who co-starred with Frank in ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’, reacted to the news on Instagram and said that he couldn't believe it. ‘My heart is sad to have lost another member of our special family,’ he wrote. Thuy Trang, who played the original Yellow Power Ranger in the series, died at age 27 in a car accident in 2001.
His other co-star Amy Jo Johnson also expressed grief on social media and wrote, ‘[C]an't believe it. My heart is sad to have lost another member of our special family. Jase, you were beautiful and truly unique. My life just won't be the same without your frenetic, hilarious, caring, driven and creative ball of energy. I will always love you, dear friend. Please Rest now in Peace.’
Frank is survived by his four children, sons Hunter and Jacob, plus daughters Skye and Jenna.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, which ran from 1993 to 1996, revolved around five teenagers who were on a mission to save Earth from evil. Frank's Tommy Oliver was first seen as a villain brainwashed by the evil Rita Repulsa in the first season of the show. However, he was soon inducted into the group as the Green Ranger and became one of the most popular characters on the show.
Jason David Frank also appeared in other ‘Power Rangers’ projects, including ‘Power Rangers Zeo, Turbo’ and ‘Dino Thunder’. He also made an appearance in an episode of ‘Family Matters’ and ‘We Bare Bears’, and starred in ‘Sweet Valley High’.
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