R.I.P. Jason David Frank

[ranger_scout]

https://geekireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Jason-David-Frank-Power-Rangers-1024x576.jpg

It is with great sadness that Jason David Frank, best known for playing Tommy Oliver in the Power Rangers franchise committed suicide at 49. A representative for the actor has confirmed it and so have various Power Rangers alumni. He has been a childhood hero to so many people including me and my best friend. R.I.P. :cry:

'POWER RANGERS' JASON DAVID FRANK
DEAD BY SUICIDE AT 49 (https://www.tmz.com/2022/11/20/power-rangers-jason-david-frank-dead-dies-tommy-oliver-green-white/)

Here are other sources.

https://www.theilluminerdi.com/2022/11/20/jason-david-frank-dead-at-49/

https://geekireland.com/has-power-ranger-jason-david-frank-died/

[IMJ]

Very surprised to see this on Facebook this morning. Frank had accumulated a somewhat small but excited following from the Valiant comics community just for appearing as a great-looking Bloodshot in a promotional movie that was shot for the I.P. several years ago.

To be honest, his low budget Bloodshot looked better on-screen than any single from the Vin Diesel movie did. Vin Diesel did an entire Vin Diesel movie called "Bloodshot" as Vin Diesel, but Frank was on-screen as Bloodshot for maybe 1 minute and was Bloodshot.

[ranger_scout]

It is so eerie that I met two of my childhood icons, Adam West and Jason David Frank, at Fan Expo Dallas the same weekend in 2017 and now they are the first two celebrities I've met who are dead.

[triplexxx]

It's really tragic when it happens this way, first Thuy Trang died in a horrific car accident, now this. Well, may you rest well in heaven Jason David Frank, and say hello to Thuy Trang when you're there.

[ZariusTwo]

If you watch any episode of Power Rangers on Youtube tonight, watch Dino Thunder's "Fighting Spirit", it's a perfect tribute to him, the end hits different now.

RIP

[neatoman]

Does anyone suspect why he did it?

[Xav]

I don't know but some are supecting it may have to do with his recent divorce.

[ranger_scout]

Amy Jo Johnson (Kimberly Hart, Pink Ranger) released a statement.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClMgFbQu4hY/

I don't know but some are supecting it may have to do with his recent divorce.

The divorce was apparently very ugly.

https://www.tmz.com/2022/08/23/power-rangers-jason-david-frank-divorce-alleged-affair-adultery/

[ZariusTwo]

I was watching some old interviews from the 2010s, he credited his now ex-wife with getting him into religion after his brother died in 2001. Falling out with her might have been enough to shatter his faith.

[Andrew NDB]

The "falling out" looks like he was caught cheating, his wife threatened (and possibly did) to take the farm and then this happened.

[TheBlueTurtle1]

such sad news.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

This month just isn't getting any better. First Kevin Conroy and now JDF. Man, rest in piece. You were a sweet man who I wished I could've met.

[Zachatello00]

Awful news. I literally gasped when I read it.

Got to meet him a couple of years ago, and, while I know that the faces we wear in public often belie what's going on in our heads/hearts, he really seemed like a genuinely well-put together person; always inspiring others with kind words and laughter. I guess we never really know the level of other's pain.

I hope that he (being one of my all-time heroes) has peace, thoughts and prayers for his family.

[ranger_scout]

Amy Jo Johnson did a Livestream and it was heartbreaking. You can truly see how much emotional pain she's feeling. :cry:

https://www.instagram.com/tv/ClO6d2bJ6J9/

She's right that there are ways out of this situation and taking your life isn't one of them.

[Storm Eagle]

Without a doubt, this sucks. It might be hard watching anything with him in it after this.

One of my cousins took her life back in June, and it's something you never expect to happen in your family.

May he rest in peace.

[Turo602]

Been a Green Ranger fan my whole life, started following the guy on Facebook when he started working with batinthesun and he just seemed like such a bright and positive guy who took being a celebrity seriously by being a role model. I've always heard how great he was with his fans and I know he was a man of faith so it just feels like such a gut punch to know how it ended. This whole thing has just been so surreal. I saw him trending that midnight hoping it was a hoax because of how out of left field it was but as the night continued, it just seemed less and less likely to be one.

I heard about the divorce and that he cheated months ago, and she apparently wanted to take the house and car. It's hard to imagine he'd take his life over fortune, so I can only imagine what kind of demons he was struggling with. I know he missed his brother very much and always posted about him, and I think his mom died a while ago as well. What I didn't know was that his step daughter had committed suicide just last year which could have factored into his marital issues. But as religious as he was, I wonder if the whole spiraling situation just broke him.

[IMJ]

Been a Green Ranger fan my whole life, started following the guy on Facebook when he started working with batinthesun and he just seemed like such a bright and positive guy who took being a celebrity seriously by being a role model. I've always heard how great he was with his fans and I know he was a man of faith so it just feels like such a gut punch to know how it ended. This whole thing has just been so surreal. I saw him trending that midnight hoping it was a hoax because of how out of left field it was but as the night continued, it just seemed less and less likely to be one.

I heard about the divorce and that he cheated months ago, and she apparently wanted to take the house and car. It's hard to imagine he'd take his life over fortune, so I can only imagine what kind of demons he was struggling with. I know he missed his brother very much and always posted about him, and I think his mom died a while ago as well. What I didn't know was that his step daughter had committed suicide just last year which could have factored into his marital issues. But as religious as he was, I wonder if the whole spiraling situation just broke him.

People who score high on religiosity scales sometimes begin to interpret the "infinite forgiveness" in a manner that suits themselves. By order of events, they then rationalize the "going to a better place" to actually enable the suicide. I'm an Irish-Catholic guy, but even I know that this is why the "suicide = instant hell" was adopted by the church. It was the only way to counter "infinite forgiveness" for anything.

It's unlikely he needed a way out because he felt "destitute". More likely that the series of cascading events painted an inescapable picture to him for personal psychology xyz.

[Turo602]

People who score high on religiosity scales sometimes begin to interpret the "infinite forgiveness" in a manner that suits themselves. By order of events, they then rationalize the "going to a better place" to actually enable the suicide. I'm an Irish-Catholic guy, but even I know that this is why the "suicide = instant hell" was adopted by the church. It was the only way to counter "infinite forgiveness" for anything.

It's unlikely he needed a way out because he felt "destitute". More likely that the series of cascading events painted an inescapable picture to him for personal psychology xyz.

That's why I brought up his family. He could have seen suicide as a way of reuniting with the loved ones he lost, especially in what can be perceived as his lowest moment spiritually. It's just hard to make sense of any of it because how bad could his divorce really have been for him to take his life? That is assuming that was the cause of it. It just sucks when the people you least expect end up being the one to take their own life. Even more tragic considering I think he had tried to reach out to some friends before he did it too.

[IMJ]

That's why I brought up his family. He could have seen suicide as a way of reuniting with the loved ones he lost, especially in what can be perceived as his lowest moment spiritually. It's just hard to make sense of any of it because how bad could his divorce really have been for him to take his life? That is assuming that was the cause of it. It just sucks when the people you least expect end up being the one to take their own life. Even more tragic considering I think he had tried to reach out to some friends before he did it too.

YYYup.

I wonder if more will come out about the situation with time, or if that's pretty much that.

[triplexxx]

People who score high on religiosity scales sometimes begin to interpret the "infinite forgiveness" in a manner that suits themselves. By order of events, they then rationalize the "going to a better place" to actually enable the suicide. I'm an Irish-Catholic guy, but even I know that this is why the "suicide = instant hell" was adopted by the church. It was the only way to counter "infinite forgiveness" for anything.I would've thought the mere belief in the existence of "infinite punishment" (which I don't believe in) is what's used to justify countering belief in "infinite forgiveness".

[Leo656]

Could be the guilt of what he did and how he basically blew his own life up for no good reason was too much to bear. Like, he didn't HAVE to get divorced and lose everything, he made a choice. He clearly expected to get away with it, he didn't, and the consequences were more than he could handle. And there was nobody else to blame, he did it to himself.

It's sad but life is nothing but a game of Choices and Consequences.

[IMJ]

this is why the "suicide = instant hell" was adopted by the church. It was the only way to counter "infinite forgiveness" for anything

I would've thought the mere belief in the existence of "infinite punishment" (which I don't believe in) is what's used to justify countering belief in "infinite forgiveness".

Well, I'm not sure where what I said there deviated from what you are saying, but as a matter of semantics I suppose you wouldn't counter the belief system within the same hierarchal system of religion - but you would set up extreme rules to find the balance to guide unruly people. What I'm saying is that a religion paints itself into a corner with "infinite forgiveness" because that can then be used by believers to justify any action - even suicide.

But, for a variety of reasons, you can't have people killing themselves every time the going gets tough, self-justified by "I'll be forgiven". And so you then implement the "suicide is immediate and enduring assignment to hell" to remedy that problem. It's reviewed and cherry-picked out for keeps as chosen by Bishops during something like the Council of Nicaea.

They craft these justifications for the population and then find ways to explain it in church to avoid paradoxical thinking. Every religion does it - it's not just Catholicism.

[ranger_scout]

Here are his top 10 moments from the franchise according to Watch Mojo.

P5q_muV0gJ4

[ZariusTwo]

TMZ revealed more information. He had two arguments with his ex on the night he hung himself. She was in the room next to him when it happened, she called the police but it was too late.

Her instagram is getting pretty savaged.

[Coola Yagami]

TMZ revealed more information. He had two arguments with his ex on the night he hung himself. She was in the room next to him when it happened, she called the police but it was too late.

Her instagram is getting pretty savaged.

Ooof I'd imagine. Probably blasted by every Power Rangers fan ever.

[ChosenOne]

She was in the room? Why didn't she stop him?

[AquaParade]

No, she was in the room next to him. She was locked out of his room. Wild that people have the nerve to attack her.

[MikeandRaph87]

The TMZ article explains it, they checked into a hotel, got separate rooms next to each other. JDF wouldn't let her in and he hung himself in the hotel room bathroom.


I did not know until I saw the RadarOnline article about his stepdaughter, married with a kid of her own and took her life 13 months ago. That had to have played into it.


I get there is martial breakdown, but the most uplifting and encouraging of people, a real-life inspiration took his own life. I thought a costar of his was in worse place. A coworker, who thought even more of JDF at my peak fandom, got involuntary relocated to fill a position May 2021 so I enlisted JDF on Cameo to lift his spirits. We can help others slay demons, but we cannot defeat our own. I sincerely hope my former coworker doesn't see this tragic response to the pain Jason was feeling as hypocritical as it's completely the opposite of who he is.



His sons, but especially Jenna getting caught up in all this as heartsick as I am I pray for them.

[ChosenOne]

No, she was in the room next to him. She was locked out of his room.

Oh, my bad, I misunderstood. They got hotel rooms and everything, did they make plans to go somewhere? It's so bizarre how one moment someone can be (apparently) okay, and then they break down and do something like this. No matter how many times I see it or hear about it, I'll always find it disturbing. Can't even imagine the pain JDF must've been feeling to want out so badly. Poor man... May he find peace.

[ranger_scout]

The official Power Rangers Twitter did a tribute to him.

https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/news/1250867-power-rangers-tribute-video-pays-respect-to-jason-david-frank

[Leo656]

Her instagram is getting pretty savaged.

Ooof I'd imagine. Probably blasted by every Power Rangers fan ever.

Wild that people have the nerve to attack her.

Which makes them f*cking losers and horrible people. I can't say I'm surprised, considering how easy it is for people to hero-worship someone simply because they watched them on a TV show when they were little, but it's stupid. People NEED to stop doing that, especially when it leads them to condemn or attack others as an extension of their fanaticism.

First of all, let me be perfectly clear: It sucks the guy killed himself. Trust me when I say that not a single person on this forum understands suicidal urges more than me. I empathize greatly. I wasn't a fan, frankly I hated the show, but he seemed like an okay guy and I know that for whatever reason he was more than just an actor on a kids' show to a lot of people.

BUT. If there's a victim in this situation, it's his ex-wife, along with his surviving family. HE chose to cheat on her, and we have NO idea how far his infidelities went; for all anyone knows she might have found out he'd had dozens or even hundreds of affairs, but to be blunt even "just once" is too many, which is exactly why it is grounds for divorce in every state with no other factors being necessary. He violated his supposedly "sacred" marriage vows, which makes HIM the villain of the story. There's no law against being a philanderer, but if a person insists on being a tomcat there is a very simple solution: Do Not Get Married.

No matter what any of his fans think, he was not OWED any measure of forgiveness from her, and if he chose to kill himself because of how she chose to handle his screw-up, that too is entirely on Him and no one else.

Contrary to what people say, it is in fact VERY easy NOT to cheat on your partner. The problem is it involves caring more about Them then your own selfish momentary satisfaction, and frankly most people are only ever sorry they got caught doing a bad thing, they're not sorry they did the bad thing, hardly ever. Too many people try and justify it; "Well c'mon, he was rich and famous, he had women constantly throwing themselves at him! What was he supposed to do, NOT cheat on his wife?!" Uh... yes. And it's rather disconcerting to see out loud just how many people would absolutely cheat on their OWN wife/husband if they got the chance, given how easily they jump to defend others who cheat. Just because you'd do it too does not make it "okay".

Now, does it make him a terrible and irredeemable person? No. Does it make him at least kind of a scumbag? Absolutely. How much of one, though, depends greatly on how remorseful he was or wasn't, which we will never truly know. Did he kill himself because he knew he ruined his own life for no good reason and just couldn't live with the guilt? If so, it's sh*tty but also somewhat admirable, since it would have come from a place of genuine remorse. Did he kill himself just because his ex refused to give him back his house and cars? If so, then he's a coward. I am sorry he is dead but "I miss my mansion" is not a good reason to kill yourself. Sadly, we'll never truly know which was the greater motivating factor, but it sounds more and more like the latter, I'm sad to say.

Regardless, those berating and blaming HER should be ashamed of themselves. How DARE she expect her husband to take his marriage seriously. How DARE she not want to get the clap from him after he gets done f*cking some road rat skank at Comic-Con. The NERVE of her to want her husband to be an actual husband. :roll: I'm sorry but a ton of his fans are scumbags if attacking her is what they resort to in order to express their grief. It's trash behavior. Just because a guy wore a gaudy costume on a kids' show almost 30 years ago does not make him Jesus Christ. People need to reexamine their values.
-----------------------

All of that said, I'm having more and more questions about this whole deal, such as what were they BOTH doing at a hotel together getting adjacent rooms considering the nastiness of the divorce proceedings? As well as the fact that at one point some time ago, she had a restraining order placed against him.

There's really only two options: Either they had informally discussed some sort of reconciliation, OR they wanted to peacefully negotiate a more mutually-beneficial splitting of assets; in either case, the hotel would have been "neutral ground". So they either went there to talk about patching things up, OR to try and amicably split up their property without more lawyers getting involved. Either way, it clearly blew up and went wrong in a hurry, and so he did what he did.

What I strongly suspect happened is, he went there HOPING she would cave in and give him back the house if he sweet-talked her, she wasn't falling for it, and so he threw a fit and acted impulsively in the heat of the moment. I could very well be wrong but putting all of the pieces together, This scenario makes the most sense to me.

[Andrew NDB]

And offing himself could be one last way to get back at her, saddle her with new, undue guilt. Last tool in the belt.

I dunno, I'm like Leo. Hated that show, hated Power Rangers-mania but I get he's a likeable dude who was good to the fans.

[Leo656]

And offing himself could be one last way to get back at her, saddle her with new, undue guilt. Last tool in the belt.


Yep. "I'll show you!" Happens all the time.

Had a cousin who killed himself for similar reasons. Emptied out our mutual cousin's bank account and spent all the money on drugs. Begged her to forgive him, said "He just had a problem," the usual. She said "Maybe I can forgive you one day, but not yet," so he blew his head off. Similar spiteful/impulsive reaction.

The only way we'll ever know more is if the ex-wife decides to spill some tea, and seeing as how she's already being demonized by manchildren and morons I'm not expecting her to say much of anything for a very long time, if ever.

Does anyone else think maybe Amy Jo was one of the ones he was cheating with? I know their actual fling was decades ago, but they always seemed a little "too happy" to see each other and plenty of people do that "hook up on the sly for old times' sake" deal. I'unno, would not shock me one bit.

[MikeandRaph87]

I wrote this to help process the loss of our childhood hero.


Soul of the Selfless
Many a grown man cried, for their childhood hero had died.
By his own hand, leaving no one to understand.
A force of encouragement and strength for which he drew he saved countless lives,if he only knew.
A monster of his own design defeated him after the countless wars he won for others, who thanks to him are strong brothers, mothers, and lovers.
A knight to those in need, the world failed to heed, forwhat himself was in need.
Though he is gone, what he did throughout his life carries on, for he shalt be honored for his sacrifices and the way he went out not obscure what in life he stood for.
A tiger so fierce, a dragon of might, whether he is present or not he taught the world how to carry on the fight.

Jason David Frank 1973-2022

[ranger_scout]

Here is the same tribute from the official Power Rangers Youtube channel.

clxJ6jRZHN0




Does anyone else think maybe Amy Jo was one of the ones he was cheating with? I know their actual fling was decades ago, but they always seemed a little "too happy" to see each other and plenty of people do that "hook up on the sly for old times' sake" deal. I'unno, would not shock me one bit.

He and Amy Jo were never an item while the show was airing. He was married at the time with a baby. In fact, the baby in the 'The Ninja Encounter' episodes was his actual son. Amy Jo divorced someone back in 2017, and recently she was dating someone new according to her social media. I don't know if they are still together or not.

[Andrew NDB]

He and Amy Jo were never an item while the show was airing. He was married at the time with a baby.

Doesn't mean much.

[Leo656]

He and Amy Jo were never an item while the show was airing. He was married at the time with a baby.

I've heard otherwise from several people who were there, but I guess only he and she would ever have known for sure.

I mean if there's one thing we know about the guy for a fact, it's that being married wasn't enough to keep him from having sex with other people. I'd say that when he was a young, hormonal 20-something it would have been even more likely.

I'm not gonna name names but it's one of those things I've heard spoken of so many times by "in the know" people that I always assumed it was common knowledge. Could be a rumor though, I guess; I'm just saying.

[CyberCubed]

I only ever watched the very first season of Power Rangers because I was a dumb kid in the early 90's and never stuck with the franchise, but I remember him well. I think people just don't remember how huge Power Rangers was, it was just as big or bigger than Turtlemania (it in fact killed the original TMNT fad), and the only thing that got bigger afterward was of course Pokemon.

To many 90's kids he was a childhood hero, and it is sad to see him go. Most power rangers fans from that time are of course now around 30 years old, so to a lot of 30 year olds he was someone they looked up to as kid.

[ranger_scout]

Doesn't mean much.

I've heard otherwise from several people who were there, but I guess only he and she would ever have known for sure.

I mean if there's one thing we know about the guy for a fact, it's that being married wasn't enough to keep him from having sex with other people. I'd say that when he was a young, hormonal 20-something it would have been even more likely.

I'm not gonna name names but it's one of those things I've heard spoken of so many times by "in the know" people that I always assumed it was common knowledge. Could be a rumor though, I guess; I'm just saying.

It's just that when Amy Jo Johnson started doing conventions in the mid-2010s, I watched some of her panels I thought more than once that she saying things like, "Nothing was going on between us. He was married with a kid. Who gets married and has a kid at 20? That's crazy!"

[Leo656]

It's just that when Amy Jo Johnson started doing conventions in the mid-2010s, I watched some of her panels I thought more than once that she saying things like, "Nothing was going on between us. He was married with a kid. Who gets married and has a kid at 20? That's crazy!"

The answer to her question would be "Impulsive people who make poor decisions." Her quote also sounds like a deflection. But again, I wasn't there. ((Shrug))

[AquaParade]

The answer to her question would be "Impulsive people who make poor decisions." Her quote also sounds like a deflection. But again, I wasn't there. ((Shrug))

Was gonna say it totally sounds like a deflection.

I randomly watched an interview with the two of them, a few years ago, and he was very heavily implying stuff went down betteeen then. I remember thinking it was distasteful.

Doesn’t matter though, obviously. I’m not here to judge the guy. Seemed like he had a good side too.

[Warhorse]

I'm sorry to hear he passed. But this isn't looking like such a slam dunk case to me. Apparently the ex, Tammie and he were in the same hotel but separate rooms and she just happened to be in the adjacent room to him when he hung himself.

And this isn't all. Apparently he had a stepdaughter, Shayla Bergeron, who was the daughter of his wife, Tammie, and she killed herself about a year ago. And she left her own daughter, Drayden Meekins, and there is a custody battle going on between Jason David Frank, Tammie and the girl's biological father, Jason Meekins. Can't help but feel some shady stuff is going on behind the scenes.

[Leo656]

Was gonna say it totally sounds like a deflection.

I randomly watched an interview with the two of them, a few years ago, and he was very heavily implying stuff went down betteeen then. I remember thinking it was distasteful.

Doesn’t matter though, obviously. I’m not here to judge the guy. Seemed like he had a good side too.

I'm sure he did, there's no shortage of stories about what a nice guy he was to others, and I don't doubt those stories. People can be heavily flawed while still being outwardly decent, that's common. Nobody who doesn't know would have any inkling of what a train wreck my personal life has always been for four decades, when I'm out and about amongst other people I give a strong outward projection of someone who has their sh*t together, meanwhile on the inside I'm only ever one bad day away from grabbing a rope. So I can actually very strongly relate to this dude. I speak bluntly but it's just because I'm pragmatic.

And I didn't see those interviews you speak of, but I also don't doubt. All I'll say is that the stories I always heard about he and Amy Jo constantly retreating to each others' trailers between takes for a little 4:20 and Snu-Snu were spoken by "cast and crew". That plus what I see among my own peers in the entertainment industry has me believe that something happened; plenty of famous people who'd just gotten married like not even a month before, taking other people up to their hotel room. It's scummy but it's how famous and good-looking people behave, to pretend otherwise is just plain absurd and naive.

[MikeandRaph87]

Sometimes onscreen couples become real-life couples such as Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan, Kirk Cameron and Chelsea Noble, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. Others are great chemistry and are close in real-life though not romantically. Jason and Amy Jo had excellent chemistry and a bond though I know rumors abound perhaps because they are so believable as a couple. I never watched the show, Saved by The Bell, but I got the same impression from people that much like JDF and AJJ Mark Gosselar and Tiffani Theissen, they had great chemistry and a bond in real-life that was not romantic. Other on-screen couples give off reality in their fictional pairing because of how well they work together.

As for the overnight passing, I have been thinking about how it played out. JDF has always been emotional, its a part of who he is and part of what drew us to him. I am inclined to think that his estranged wife Tammi got him upset and he responded with something like 'You don't want to be married to me anymore? You want the house and the car? Probably my stake in Rising Sun too? I'm glad Jenna finished school, otherwise you would probably take her from me too!. Fine, you can have it all, its in my will!". Then she called the cops thinking he would go through with his threat and JDF caught up in emotion ended it before police could get there. It's just so surreal! One who gives back so much.

Edit:
This video captures who he is and why it is hard to imagine what happened. oWHs4iK0oT4

[AquaParade]

I'm sure he did, there's no shortage of stories about what a nice guy he was to others, and I don't doubt those stories. People can be heavily flawed while still being outwardly decent, that's common. Nobody who doesn't know would have any inkling of what a train wreck my personal life has always been for four decades, when I'm out and about amongst other people I give a strong outward projection of someone who has their sh*t together, meanwhile on the inside I'm only ever one bad day away from grabbing a rope. So I can actually very strongly relate to this dude. I speak bluntly but it's just because I'm pragmatic.

And I didn't see those interviews you speak of, but I also don't doubt. All I'll say is that the stories I always heard about he and Amy Jo constantly retreating to each others' trailers between takes for a little 4:20 and Snu-Snu were spoken by "cast and crew". That plus what I see among my own peers in the entertainment industry has me believe that something happened; plenty of famous people who'd just gotten married like not even a month before, taking other people up to their hotel room. It's scummy but it's how famous and good-looking people behave, to pretend otherwise is just plain absurd and naive.

I can understand that. I’ve always felt like it’s incredibly easy to maintain a calm disposition, despite whatever inner turmoil is going on. I can easily smile and be polite even if I am feeling like complete **** inside. The reasoning being that it costs nothing and the alternative doesn’t make me feel any better.

If it made me feel any better to go around brow-beating everyone, moping, and forgetting my manners, then hell, maybe I would.

But this isn’t universal. Some people make it completely obvious when they’re unhappy.

[ssjup81]

It's sad how he succumbed to his sadness and took his own life. It's still shocking even though it's been like a week or so. I was never a big Power Rangers fan, but I think anyone who grew up during that time is very familiar with the OG MMPR group. Ironically, he was supposed to be at a convention here in my area in January as one of the special guests. My cousin, who was a huge fan back in the day, already had tickets to attend it. He's also still surprised by this.

That aside, based on some of the more recent posts of this thread, I actually hope that there wasn't any foul play here. I mean...I'm sad he took his life, but it'd be devastating if someone else harmed him and framed it to look like a suicide. I dunno.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

Between this and Kevin Conroy, this has not been a very time right now. I think I only got to speak with JDF a few times through social media and he always seemed like a positive influence on the fans. You can tell he loved what he was doing. He never seemed like someone who would ever let something like this get to him to the point where he would take his own life. There are times where people closest to you can see when there's really something wrong behind a smile but if there were ever times he was going through some phases, I guess even his closest friends like Amy Jo couldn't even see it. I really wish things like these wouldn't happen to stars. It just seems like becoming famous can come at a price most of the time and it just sucks. Maybe this was the breaking point that made JDF snap whereas usually he comes off as calm and collected.

I wonder if Austin St. John was ever going to work things out with him although he probably wishes he did now. There seem to be at least one or two times they came together but not completely. Since Jason is my favorite ranger from MMPR, I definitely would be crushed if he surcomed to this, especially after his arrest. I just pray and hope that none of the other PR actors do something like this as well because it's extremely devastating. I hope they learn from this. Amy Jo seems like she has.

[MikeandRaph87]

YthdozgdY3w?feature=share


After Austin got in legal trouble JDF urged people to wait to see how it plays put and he won't believe that Austin is guilty unless a court decides that he is, he supports Austin. So I believe it's clashing personalities more than anything. I doubt it was like Hogan and Savage mere months before Savage passed away when they allegedly crossed paths at a Tampa area doctor's office. Still no love lost.


He was personally close to Amy Jo and David, it seemed like two groups of friends in our original six.

[Cowabung-Gal]

TMZ revealed more information. He had two arguments with his ex on the night he hung himself.

He hung himself? Geez…

[Coola Yagami]

Between this and Kevin Conroy, this has not been a very time right now. I think I only got to speak with JDF a few times through social media and he always seemed like a positive influence on the fans. You can tell he loved what he was doing. He never seemed like someone who would ever let something like this get to him to the point where he would take his own life. There are times where people closest to you can see when there's really something wrong behind a smile but if there were ever times he was going through some phases, I guess even his closest friends like Amy Jo couldn't even see it. I really wish things like these wouldn't happen to stars. It just seems like becoming famous can come at a price most of the time and it just sucks. Maybe this was the breaking point that made JDF snap whereas usually he comes off as calm and collected.

I wonder if Austin St. John was ever going to work things out with him although he probably wishes he did now. There seem to be at least one or two times they came together but not completely. Since Jason is my favorite ranger from MMPR, I definitely would be crushed if he surcomed to this, especially after his arrest. I just pray and hope that none of the other PR actors do something like this as well because it's extremely devastating. I hope they learn from this. Amy Jo seems like she has.

Why is Austin St John under house arrest anyway, what did he do?

[MikeandRaph87]

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1266119097290372.

His funeral and burial was yesterday morning. True to who he is, the service was streamed.

His impulsive nature must have been what did him in. Its the only explanation for the unexplainable.

[IMJ]

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1266119097290372.

His funeral and burial was yesterday morning. True to who he is, the service was streamed.

His impulsive nature must have been what did him in. Its the only explanation for the unexplainable.

When you live, you fill the world with your actions everyday; but by contrast it's amazing because when you are gone it's a day or two and you are GONE - be it in the Earth or in the Ash. G O N E.

[ranger_scout]

Andre Meadows AKA the Black Nerd posted this around the JDF and Kevin Conroy's passings. I think he was obviously referring to both of them.


https://www.instagram.com/p/ClPEvX8yi2W/


Johnny Young Bosch shared this memory of him and JDF today. He said that it was filmed around 2010.


https://www.instagram.com/p/ClkE9TIOUWC

ETA: According to a friend, Jason struggled with mental health for quite a few years. He struggled with the losses of multiple friends and family over the years - including many who died by suicide. Even though he had thousands of fans, he often felt very lonely. Losing his mother to cancer back in 2018 was especially tough on him.

https://pagesix.com/2022/11/28/power-rangers-star-jason-david-frank-struggled-with-mental-health-friend/

[ranger_scout]

Tammie Frank, the widow of Jason, is setting the record straight on what happened the night that Jason committed suicide. She's also been saying that she has been harassed for many days online and asking people to stop.

Jason David Frank's Wife Reveals 'Power Rangers' Star Died by Suicide: 'He Was Not Without His Demons' (https://people.com/tv/jason-david-frank-wife-reveals-power-rangers-star-died-by-suicide/)

[Leo656]

It's disgusting that an innocent person gets harassed and sh*tposted and slandered because too many morons somehow believed that an actor was actually a super-hero.

[Coola Yagami]

It's disgusting that an innocent person gets harassed and sh*tposted and slandered because too many morons somehow believed that an actor was actually a super-hero.

It's pretty ****ed up.

When I first heard of the divorce was over cheating I felt bad for JDF, but when I found out HE was the one doing the cheating.... that changed a lot of my opinions on the matter.

[Andrew NDB]

It's disgusting that an innocent person gets harassed and sh*tposted and slandered because too many morons somehow believed that an actor was actually a super-hero.

That's true.

[MikeandRaph87]

His wife, Tammie said they were in the middle of reconciling and things seemed to be looking up, but when she left for less than ten minutes he locked her out, went into the hotel bathroom and hung himself? It still does not add up. 'Looks like things are getting better, but what if it goes south again?' He psyches himself up and in a spur of the moment unnecessary panic he puts together a noose? I see comparisons to Robin Williams, a very approachable, warmhearted guy who on the surface had nothing bad going on and those closest to him had no idea he would do such a thing. The most giving, genuine and emotional of people are the one's that need to be watched.

He found his stepdaughter dead 13 months ago, it seems her death triggered a custody struggle between father and maternal grandparents and martial striff between them. It all seems to be rooted there.


Furthermore, I have seen interviews at just the mention of his older brother his eyes well up with tears. All of these motivational speaker videos and reaching out to fandom the way he did, it's almost like it was therapeutic for him and his way of trying to keep others for suffering from depression like him.

[IMJ]

His wife, Tammie said they were in the middle of reconciling and things seemed to be looking up, but when she left for less than ten minutes he locked her out, went into the hotel bathroom and hung himself? It still does not add up. 'Looks like things are getting better, but what if it goes south again?' He psyches himself up and in a spur of the moment unnecessary panic he puts together a noose? I see comparisons to Robin Williams, a very approachable, warmhearted guy who on the surface had nothing bad going on and those closest to him had no idea he would do such a thing. The most giving, genuine and emotional of people are the one's that need to be watched.

He found his stepdaughter dead 13 months ago, it seems her death triggered a custody struggle between father and maternal grandparents and martial striff between them. It all seems to be rooted there.


Furthermore, I have seen interviews at just the mention of his older brother his eyes well up with tears. All of these motivational speaker videos and reaching out to fandom the way he did, it's almost like it was therapeutic for him and his way of trying to keep others for suffering from depression like him.


The routine behaviors of a person just pre-suicide is that they appear to be happy and more focused than the people around them are used to seeing.

The prevailing theory on that is that the "happiness" that other people perceive as "things looking up" is actually happiness on part of the suicider for finally having a resolution to whatever their long-term inner turmoil is.

And so by perception of Jason's wife "things looking up" might have looked like blue skies, but by perception of Jason, his enlightened attitude was most likely "I've made a decision and won't have to deal with this much longer" as a form of relief.

[Anarchistguy]

It's disgusting that an innocent person gets harassed and sh*tposted and slandered because too many morons somehow believed that an actor was actually a super-hero.

It's pretty messed up how much people's judgement is affected by nostalgia.

[MikeandRaph87]

That is true, but also the media twisting facts for clicks or views. We don't know what caused her to initiate divorce and likely they were both at fault and it was likely rooted in the passing of a child they raised. The media reporting the two got into multiple heated arguments is likely TMZ taking existing facts and twisting it from tips and it spreads from there.

It seems that Jason was mentally ill and once he made things right with his wife planned at the first opportunity to remove himself. He has always been an emotionally volatile individual and as on the surface out of nowhere as it is, it may just fit in with who is/was. Many loved him for who he is/was myself included, but he was an impulsive and emotional individual who wanted to prevent others from feeling the way he did. As I try to rationalize the passing of a childhood role model I realize there is no rationalizing. All we can do is grieve together and support his passion project Legend of The White Dragon. I don't care about his costars and the concept is fine as a post-apocalyptic Power Ranger film, but I am drawn to his personality and him as a person.
kdeDtH-sr9k
Also, if you were a fan of his this memento ring is the real deal and is supposed to be released in the Spring still. It contains a motivational message from JDF not as a character.

[Leo656]

A family member's passing does NOT give a person a blank check to cheat on their spouse. Holy Hell.

[MikeandRaph87]

A family member's passing does NOT give a person a blank check to cheat on their spouse. Holy Hell.

I am not insinuating that at all. If he did it was likely his way of dealing with it. What I was stating is TMZ is taking tips and twisting them into facts in regards to what happened just before he died. Were they having a heated argument? Were they having a weekend getaway between his busy Con schedule? TMZ would have us believe the former instead of the latter.

[Leo656]

I don't doubt the wife's story but something does not add up. If they were leaning towards reconciliation but then he hung himself as soon as he was out of her sight, that doesn't add up. Something must have happened or been said to upset him again, something she either did not notice or thought was innocuous. Also, she claims the staff did not get called up to defuse an argument BUT the staff say otherwise.

I'm seeing "shades of truth". I believe the gist of her story but she's leaving parts out for obvious reasons.

[IMJ]

I'm not entirely informed on the Power Rangers as it has sort of become a generational marker for me about why things are somewhat how they are nowadays.

But with that said, do any of the other original Power Rangers cast from that era of the Green Ranger (what was that? Like Seasons 1 -3 maybe?) have any kind of public-facing issues or ongoing problems or in general did the rest of them go on with their life?

The only one I ever saw do anything was that gorgeous Asian girl who wound up appearing in the Crow City of Angels and that was it.

[DarkFell]

The only one I ever saw do anything was that gorgeous Asian girl who wound up appearing in the Crow City of Angels and that was it.
That was Thuy Trang, and unfortunately her life was cut short due to a car accident.

[IMJ]

That was Thuy Trang, and unfortunately her life was cut short due to a car accident.

Oh wow, I didn't know.

How about the rest of the "colors" from her cast - she wassssss? She was Yellow, right? Jason Frank was white and green. Clearly the pink ranger girl is making YouTube videos from this thread.

What about the other three?

[Storm Eagle]

Oh wow, I didn't know.

How about the rest of the "colors" from her cast - she wassssss? She was Yellow, right? Jason Frank was white and green. Clearly the pink ranger girl is making YouTube videos from this thread.

What about the other three?

Austin St. John played Jason/Red Ranger, Walter Jones played Zack/Black Ranger, and David Yost played Billy/Blue Ranger.

[MikeandRaph87]

I was going to ask just before the news broke of his self-inflicted passing, but I was not aware of his retirement from Power Rangers several months back and I read of the divorce when trying to find out why he or Amy Jo did not partake alongside David and Walter. Anyway, what was his issue with Hasbro? He always bent over backwards to appease the owner of the IP be it Hiam Saban or Disney. David Yost, a close friend and castmate was pleased as ever so I assumed JDF who seemed open for anything would not be disappointed.

[Coola Yagami]

Austin St. John played Jason/Red Ranger, Walter Jones played Zack/Black Ranger, and David Yost played Billy/Blue Ranger.

Why is Austin under house arrest. What he do?

[Autbot_Benz]

Why is Austin under house arrest. What he do?

Austin St John is in trouble



https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/18-arrested-charged-east-texas-paycheck-protection-program-related-fraud

He allegedly took money that wasn't his.

[IMJ]

So it seems that several of the original cast have had some issues. Have any of them gone on to brighter things?

[ranger_scout]

So it seems that several of the original cast have had some issues. Have any of them gone on to brighter things?

Amy Jo Johnson has appeared on multiple TV shows and had starring roles in some like Felicity and Flashpoint. After finishing work on the latter, she transitioned to a career in directing, producing, and writing. She's been doing that for about 10 years now.

[Leo656]

She was nekkid in a couple of her post-MMPR movie roles, too, and in a couple where she wasn't nekkid she still played an eager slut. Typical "I wanna totally move on from my kids show days, check out my nipples!" flex, but hey, I ain't complainin', no sir. She and "her people" have done a lot to try and scrub most of that from the internet since then, but it's all still out there if you know how to play detective.

[IMJ]

Amy Jo Johnson has appeared on multiple TV shows and had starring roles in some like Felicity and Flashpoint. After finishing work on the latter, she transitioned to a career in directing, producing, and writing. She's been doing that for about 10 years now.

What about the guy who played the Black Ranger in the first few seasons? That guy always seemed like the most likable of the bunch....

[Coola Yagami]

What about the guy who played the Black Ranger in the first few seasons? That guy always seemed like the most likable of the bunch....

I just know it took me forever to realize he was missing a finger this whole time.

[IMJ]

I just know it took me forever to realize he was missing a finger this whole time.

Uhhhh.
What?

[Coola Yagami]

Uhhhh.
What?

Yeah, I forget which hand but the dude playing Zach has 3 fingers on one hand. And I don't mean he had some accident in the last few years. I mean during the power ranger days.

[ssjup81]

Amy Jo Johnson has appeared on multiple TV shows and had starring roles in some like Felicity and Flashpoint. After finishing work on the latter, she transitioned to a career in directing, producing, and writing. She's been doing that for about 10 years now.I'm pretty sure she's done some TV movies too. I do know of the show Flashpoint, though. I came across my folks watching it and I was like, "Hey, that's the Pink Power Ranger!"

[ranger_scout]

One month later and it is still so hard to believe that it happened. Here is a video from his final convention appearance just one week before he took his own life.

NM35aNF03Kw

[MikeandRaph87]

I had wondered about his first family and didn't think they were at their father's funeral service. This looks bad.
7vU0EYLZFZ4

[ranger_scout]

It is so eerie that I met two of my childhood icons, Adam West and Jason David Frank, at Fan Expo Dallas the same weekend in 2017 and now they are the first two celebrities I've met who are dead.

Stan Lee was actually the second celebrity I met who died. On New Year's weekend 2017, he was attending a small convention in Dallas, TX and I got a photo with him.

[Coola Yagami]

Stan Lee was actually the second celebrity I met who died. On New Year's weekend 2017, he was attending a small convention in Dallas, TX and I got a photo with him.

I guess the two celebs I've met that died so far were Jason David Frank and Scott Hall.

[ranger_scout]

Stan Lee was actually the second celebrity I met who died. On New Year's weekend 2017, he was attending a small convention in Dallas, TX and I got a photo with him.

And here are Stan and JDF together at a convention. I hope both of them are happily reunited in the afterlife.

WXJgaHqQZFc

I292FllovFs

[ranger_scout]

Jason's final film Legend of the White Dragon will be released theatrically this fall.

https://deadline.com/2023/03/jason-david-frank-movie-legend-of-the-white-dragon-release-date-1235301008/

[Sir5R]

And here are Stan and JDF together at a convention. I hope both of them are happily reunited in the afterlife.

WXJgaHqQZFc

I292FllovFs

Probably not likely as taking your own life is a one way ticket to hell. Sad for him. Course, I suppose Stan could be there too. Don't know what either of them believed in, if anything at all... in which case, they're both burning for eternity.

[Coola Yagami]

Probably not likely as taking your own life is a one way ticket to hell. Sad for him. Course, I suppose Stan could be there too. Don't know what either of them believed in, if anything at all... in which case, they're both burning for eternity.

Maybe God really hated Stripperela.

[triplexxx]

Probably not likely as taking your own life is a one way ticket to hell. Sad for him. Course, I suppose Stan could be there too. Don't know what either of them believed in, if anything at all... in which case, they're both burning for eternity.Organized religions say lots of things about life and God; that doesn't make everything they say so.

[MikeandRaph87]

Probably not likely as taking your own life is a one way ticket to hell. Sad for him. Course, I suppose Stan could be there too. Don't know what either of them believed in, if anything at all... in which case, they're both burning for eternity.

No, JDF is a Christian who despite his mental illness is in Heaven.

A former private investigator has been doing a series of streams related to JDF's passing, Henry Resilient if anyone wants to get into the details.

[Monty Mole]

Eh, I'm still way more bummed about Kevin Conroy passing.

[IMJ]

Eh, I'm still way more bummed about Kevin Conroy passing.

I mean - :lol: I suppose I am too, but it's not a "worse death" competition.... :lol:

[ranger_scout]

Two of his former co-stars Catherine Sutherland and Nakia Burrise interviewed Jason’s widow Tammie.

fqOt265_XZg

[TheCanadiandrome]

Jason's final film Legend of the White Dragon will be released theatrically this fall.

https://deadline.com/2023/03/jason-david-frank-movie-legend-of-the-white-dragon-release-date-1235301008/

I’m so stoked for this, I’m one of the backers

[ranger_scout]

I’m so stoked for this, I’m one of the backers

It will now be released in 2024.

https://comicbook.com/news/video-legend-of-the-white-dragon-official-teaser-trailer-comic-con-2023/

[TheCanadiandrome]

It will now be released in 2024.

https://comicbook.com/news/video-legend-of-the-white-dragon-official-teaser-trailer-comic-con-2023/
Ye some how kinda figured with all the bs going on this would be delayed

[ranger_scout]

A documentary series on MAX titled 'Hollywood Demons' will discuss Jason David Frank's suicide, the man who attempted to kill him years ago, and the dark side of the 'Power Rangers' will be streaming next month.

https://comicbook.com/power-rangers/news/maxs-new-documentary-explores-dark-side-of-power-rangers/

[ZariusTwo]

It will now be released in 2024.

https://comicbook.com/news/video-legend-of-the-white-dragon-official-teaser-trailer-comic-con-2023/

2024 came and went, and we still don't have it.

[sdp]

I haven't really followed the drama of JDFs sons, but it'd be fun if it's in the documentary.

[MikeandRaph87]

I haven't really followed the drama of JDFs sons, but it'd be fun if it's in the documentary.

I keep up with it via Henry Resilient streams and I am apart of the related Discord community.He has 4 kids, 3 with his 1st wife. Hunter the middle child and younger son fully cut off his family inuding his father a couple of years prior to JDF's passing. The eldest, who was the toddler seen the Ninja Encounter as the karate instructor's son in the runaway carriage. He is up on multiple sexual assualt charges. The daughter is slutty amd has an Onlyfans. Both she and her eldest brother use the internet to sell forged signatures of their dad. Its well known in the Power Rangers community they use their father's name to make money,but people outside of it think they are legit because they are his children.

Jenna,his youngest and child with his second wife had a trust set up for her. She often accompanied him to cons and even sat in on her father's panels. That blowhard of Batinthesun Aaron Schoenke redid some of Legend of The White Dragon about himself,who was portraying JDF's evil counterpart while Jenna is JDF's daughter in the film. It seems like our childhood hero was surround by leeches. Jenna might have her own Cameo, but she is legit.

I did not mean to ramble, I just want anyone on this thread to NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM EITHER JACOB OR SKYE FRANK.

[sdp]

Damn, I had to google her. Never thought I'd ever say I saw the Green Ranger's daughter teets and vajayjay. Too bad she's a landwhale. so let me throw up.

I remember seeing a lot of hate for Jenna and I saw a video or two of her and it seemed to match what people were criticizing her about. It always bothered me JDF kept trying to make her a "thing", I loved JDF and Tommy but couldn't care less for her actual offspring being in Power Rangers, it's a fictional show, literally anyone could play Tommy's daughter and you can choose someone who has the best skills instead of nepotism.

[TheCanadiandrome]

A documentary series on MAX titled 'Hollywood Demons' will discuss Jason David Frank's suicide, the man who attempted to kill him years ago, and the dark side of the 'Power Rangers' will be streaming next month.

https://comicbook.com/power-rangers/news/maxs-new-documentary-explores-dark-side-of-power-rangers/

Hope this’ll air in Canada

[Storm Eagle]

I keep up with it via Henry Resilient streams and I am apart of the related Discord community.He has 4 kids, 3 with his 1st wife. Hunter the middle child and younger son fully cut off his family inuding his father a couple of years prior to JDF's passing. The eldest, who was the toddler seen the Ninja Encounter as the karate instructor's son in the runaway carriage. He is up on multiple sexual assualt charges. The daughter is slutty amd has an Onlyfans. Both she and her eldest brother use the internet to sell forged signatures of their dad. Its well known in the Power Rangers community they use their father's name to make money,but people outside of it think they are legit because they are his children.


The infant was Mr. Anderson's son. Rocky, Adam, and Aisha's teacher from Stone Canyon High.

[ZariusTwo]

Are you aware of Jacob and Skye forging their father's name on merchandise? There is a reason they were left out of inheritance.

I stay well clear out of the drama milked by Henry Resilient and the JDF cultists.

[MikeandRaph87]

I stay well clear out of the drama milked by Henry Resilient and the JDF cultists.


I am one of them.:lol: Its just 15 or so of us who chat daily on the Discord. Sure, if there is drama he will cover it,but its not something he chases after. If its out there he will put it on a Livestream. We love Jason David Frank and all he stood for, that is what bonds us on the Discord. You have to give him credit for one thing at least, he uncovered the why and the how JDF left us and gave Tammie a platform to tell the dark truth that TMZ and dirt sheets ignored so we all could heal to an extent.

[ranger_scout]

2024 came and went, and we still don't have it.

We could be getting closer to it finally happening, but we'll see.

https://comicbook.com/power-rangers/news/jason-david-franks-legend-of-the-white-dragon-delivers-update-on-long-awaited-release/

[neatoman]

Alright, now that it's been a while, I guess I might as well post this without seeming disrespectful. The guy in this video had a weird one-sided beef with JDF and it's bizarrely continued after his death. He's quite a delusional weirdo.
https://youtu.be/gvtO_oPbyE0?si=uFeoRQttm-AvMeCh

[ZariusTwo]

I am one of them.:lol: Its just 15 or so of us who chat daily on the Discord. Sure, if there is drama he will cover it,but its not something he chases after. If its out there he will put it on a Livestream. We love Jason David Frank and all he stood for

I love all of what JDF accomplished in his early life and in Power Rangers, but I won't excuse how toxic of a human being he became later on as his ego grew, which is just continually enabled by his fanbase even posthumously. I think his legacy has been utterly soiled by the actions of his family as they desperately cling to the spotlight.

I don't think his fanbase has 'healed', every now and then you still get people insisting one of his talentless daughters become the 'new' Green Ranger in a future PR reboot (forgetting Tommy has a canonical son with Katherine), and you just know they'll widely praise the White Dragon movie and insist that's what PR ought to resemble "for adults" even though it looks f*cking terrible.

[ranger_scout]

I watched the documentary ‘Hollywood Demons’, which explored the dark side of ‘Power Rangers’. It turned out that when Jason was a kid he had been abused by someone he was close to. He had a bipolar disorder and when he committed suicide he had so many drugs in his body. His brother’s suicide did indeed took a major toll on his life.

[ZariusTwo]

if he was truly abused and most of his behaviour came from PTSD and bi-polar trauma then he really should have gotten himself checked out further instead of overmedicating and working too hard to shake off his typecast image, letting the cult influence him at every turn.

Still respect him, still loved what he did for the show, but in the end, he's just another Hollywood story.

[Coola Yagami]

if he was truly abused and most of his behaviour came from PTSD and bi-polar trauma then he really should have gotten himself checked out further instead of overmedicating and working too hard to shake off his typecast image, letting the cult influence him at every turn.

Still respect him, still loved what he did for the show, but in the end, he's just another Hollywood story.

Eh, it's much easier for us to say, on the outside looking in. It's a lot harder to 'just get help bro lol' when you're the one actually going through it.

Still a tragic loss. It really is a damn shame.