It was announced on Sunday that Jason David Frank has died, sending shockwaves throughout pop culture and especially within the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers fandom. While details are scarce, what’s been reported is that Frank died by suicide at the age of 49. The news was met with great sadness from countless fans everywhere as Frank had been a role model for decades for fans of the Power Rangers franchise.
Austin St. John, who played the original Red Ranger and co-starred with Frank, posted a video to Twitter sharing his thoughts on the situation. In the past, there had been some apparent problems between the two actors, and St. John acknowledges this in the video. With that said, he’s just as shocked as the rest of us about the news and feels saddened for those Frank has left behind.
“I don’t even know where to start,” St. John says in the video. “There’s no secret Jason David Frank and I were not beer-drinking buddies, for sure. But, yesterday, for those of you who may not know, Jason David Frank, he’s gone. Yesterday he died. And yesterday, more important than that, a man died. A father died. A husband died. And there’s no easy way to feel those emotions.”
St. John adds that he lost his father in January and has a semblance of understanding as to what Frank’s family is feeling at this time. The actor adds that he doesn’t have much else to add beyond making it clear that he feels for the survivors and he’s hopeful that Frank has found peace in death, despite any friction the two may have had in previous years.
“I’m not going to go on and on,” St. John says. “I just hope he rests in peace, and my prayer and my thoughts go out to his family. Once a Ranger, always a Ranger, brother. Once a Ranger, always a Ranger. Much love.”
Jason David Frank Will Be Remembered
Some others from the Power Rangers family are honoring Frank. Amy Jo Johnson, the original Pink Ranger, posted an image to Instagram of herself with Frank from a fan event. She wrote a message of sorrow in the caption to express her heartbreak.
“Jase, you were beautiful and truly unique,” she said. “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…”
A separate Instagram post from original Black Ranger Walter Jones adds, “Can’t believe it…. RIP Jason David Frank. My heart is sad to have lost another member of our special family.”
Jason David Frank was very much loved and will forever be missed. May his legacy lives on as he finds peace in his passing.
