Former MMA fighter Jason David Frank recently passed away at the age of 49 in Texas. Sources with direct knowledge of the situation told TMZ that Frank took his own life. Frank’s agent, Brian Butler-Au of Sucker Punch Entertainment, confirmed the news on social media.
Frank’s representative Justin Hunt said in a statement to TMZ:
“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.”
Frank was best known for his role in the original “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” series from 1993 to 1996. He played Tommy Oliver, known as the White Ranger and Green Ranger, one of the six masked superheroes.
Frank primarily hailed from a Karate background, holding an 8th degree black belt and was also a World Karate Union Hall of Fame inductee. Also being well versed in Taekwondo, Muay Thai, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he ventured into MMA in 2010, competing a total of five times.
Frank won all four of his amateur bouts via first-round stoppage, two via KO and the other two via submission. He made his professional debut against Jose Roberto Vasquez at Texas Cage Fighting: Puro Combate 1 in August 2010, earning a submission win via rear-naked choke in 46 seconds.
Power Rangers co-star talks about Jason David Frank
Jason David Frank’s death was condoled by Walter Emanuel Jones, the original black ranger in ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’. Jones lauded Frank’s sense of humor and hailed him as one of the biggest pranksters of the MMPR squad. Jones said in a statement to TMZ:
“He was an inspiration to so many people. His presence will be dearly missed. It’s so sad to lose another member of our Ranger family. Jason was one of the biggest pranksters on the show. He had a wild sense of humor. We had our shares of ups and downs but I stayed consistent about being an ear if he needed one. My prayers go out to his family and all that will miss him.”
Jason David Frank’s wife Tammie, with whom he has one child, reportedly filed for divorce back in August. The former fighter was married once before and is survived by his four children in total.