PARK CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 26: Jason David Frank attends the private reception during Sundance 2020 for “Omniboat: A Fast Boat Fantasia” hosted by RAND Luxury at The St. Regis Deer Valley on January 26, 2020 in Park City, Utah. Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images Courtesy of Rand Luxury/AFP (Photo by Daniel Boczarski / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Jason David Frank, one of the original “Power Rangers”, has died, according to reports from entertainment outlet TMZ, citing his representative. He was 49.
Sources claimed Frank’s death was due to an apparent suicide while in Texas, leaving behind his four children.
“Please respect 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. He loved his family, friends and fans very much. He will truly be missed,” TMZ quoted a statement from Frank’s manager, Justine Hunt.
Best known for his role as Tommy Oliver in the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” franchise which premiered in 1993, Frank led a group of crime-busting masked superheroes using his martial arts skills. The franchise had since evolved into several adaptations, and the actor would often be tapped to reprise his role, making him one of the most popular characters in the series.
Aside from acting, Frank brought his fighting abilities to the the MMA and fought professionally from 2008 to 2010.