Vale: Jason David Frank

Actor and and mixed martial artist Jason David Frank, best known for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, has died, aged 49.

A cause of death has not been revealed. In a statement, representatives requested the privacy of Frank’s friends and family be respected “during this horrible time as we come to terms with the loss of such a wonderful human being.”

Frank played Tommy Oliver in the 1993 series as the Green Ranger — a transfer student at Angel Grove High School brainwashed by Rita Repulsa to fight the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers before becoming the White Ranger after being freed from her spell. The role was set for 14 episodes. Due to the popularity of the character, he was brought back as the White Ranger and the new leader of the team.

His relationship to the long-running franchise spanned nearly three decades. 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 a statement posted to Instagram, co-star Walter Emanuel Jones, shared his disbelief in the actor’s sudden passing. “Can’t believe it,” he wrote. “RIP Jason David Frank. My heart is sad to have lost another member of our special family.”

His other projects included the 2020 film Omniboat: A Fast Boat Fantasia, and voice work on the animated series We Bare Bears and web series Transformers: Titans Return.

Souce: Hollywood Reporter