The Tragic & Triumphant Lives: Where The Original Power Rangers Cast Is Now In 2025

The *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers* cast defined a generation in the 1990s, becoming an iconic global phenomenon that still resonates with millions of fans today. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the lives of the original six teenagers with attitude have seen a tumultuous mix of triumphant returns, devastating personal loss, and recent legal controversy, keeping them firmly in the public eye.

The journey from Angel Grove to the present day has been anything but smooth for the actors who first donned the spandex suits. From the heartbreaking deaths of two beloved Rangers to a major reunion special and serious federal charges, this deep dive reveals the definitive, up-to-the-minute status of the original *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers* cast and their enduring, complex legacy.

Original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Cast: Complete Biography & Roles

The initial team, who first appeared in 1993, comprised six core actors. Their characters and real-life paths have diverged dramatically over the last three decades.

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• Austin St. John (Jason Lee Scott / Red Ranger): Born Jason Lawrence Geiger. The original leader of the team, known for his martial arts prowess.
• Walter Emanuel Jones (Zack Taylor / Black Ranger): The first Black Ranger, known for his unique "Hip Hop Kido" fighting style.
• Amy Jo Johnson (Kimberly Ann Hart / Pink Ranger): The original Pink Ranger and a talented gymnast.
• David Yost (Billy Cranston / Blue Ranger): The first Blue Ranger, known as the team's intellectual genius and tech expert.
• Thuy Trang (Trini Kwan / Yellow Ranger): The first Yellow Ranger, representing the team's compassion and discipline.
• Jason David Frank (Tommy Oliver / Green/White Ranger): Introduced later in Season 1, he became one of the franchise's most popular characters, holding the mantle of the Green Ranger, then the White Ranger, and later various other Ranger forms.

The Enduring Legacy: Triumphs, Tragedies, and Controversies

The story of the original cast is marked by profound highs and lows, including a recent, pivotal Netflix reunion that brought some of the surviving members back together, juxtaposed with the immense grief over two cast members' untimely deaths.

The Tragic Losses of the Yellow and Green Rangers

The cast has faced two devastating losses that have deeply affected the *Power Rangers* community.

Thuy Trang (Yellow Ranger)

Thuy Trang, who played Trini Kwan, the Yellow Ranger, tragically passed away on September 3, 2001, at the age of 27. She was a passenger in a car that was involved in a severe accident near San Francisco. Her death sent shockwaves through the fanbase, and her character’s legacy is often honored in subsequent *Power Rangers* projects.

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Jason David Frank (Green/White Ranger)

In a profound loss for the franchise, Jason David Frank, who played the iconic Tommy Oliver, passed away on November 19, 2022, at the age of 49. Frank's wife, Tammie Frank, later confirmed that his cause of death was suicide. Frank was an active figure in the martial arts world and a constant presence at comic conventions, making his sudden passing a deeply felt tragedy for the global fandom.

The 2023 Reunion: *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always*

Despite the real-life tragedies, a significant portion of the original team reunited for the Netflix special *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always*, released in 2023. This 30th-anniversary special was a poignant tribute to the show’s history and a chance for fans to see their heroes back in action.

• David Yost (Blue Ranger) and Walter Emanuel Jones (Black Ranger) were the central returning cast members, reprising their roles as Billy Cranston and Zack Taylor.
• The special addressed the passing of Trini Kwan, with the plot centering on her daughter, Trini's legacy, and the fight against a resurrected Rita Repulsa.
• Amy Jo Johnson (Pink Ranger) notably declined to participate in the special, though she later co-wrote a new *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink* comic series in 2024.

Where Are the Surviving Original Power Rangers Cast Members Now? (2025 Update)

The three surviving members of the core six—Austin St. John, Walter Emanuel Jones, and Amy Jo Johnson—are all active in the entertainment industry or public life, though their current paths are vastly different and include recent legal and creative developments.

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Austin St. John (Red Ranger) and His Legal Troubles

Austin St. John, whose legal name is Jason Lawrence Geiger, has faced significant legal challenges that have dominated recent news about the cast.

In late 2023, St. John was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $225,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charges stemmed from a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $3.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, which were intended for COVID-19 relief. This controversy has cast a shadow over the Red Ranger's legacy, though the court noted his lack of prior criminal history.

Amy Jo Johnson (Pink Ranger): From Acting to Directing and Writing

Amy Jo Johnson, the original Pink Ranger, has successfully transitioned her career into directing, writing, and music, proving herself as one of the most creatively active cast members.

In 2024, Johnson was a prominent guest at major events like L.A. Comic Con, where she discussed her enduring legacy as Kimberly Hart. Beyond convention appearances, she co-wrote a new *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers* comic series, contributing to the franchise's lore in a new capacity. Her focus remains on independent film projects and creative endeavors outside of a full return to the *Power Rangers* screen universe.

Walter Emanuel Jones (Black Ranger) and David Yost (Blue Ranger): The Reunion Anchors

Walter Emanuel Jones and David Yost have become the most consistent faces of the original team in recent years, largely due to their starring roles in the *Once & Always* special.

David Yost has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness, often sharing his personal struggles he faced while on the original show. His return as Billy Cranston in the 2023 special was a deeply meaningful moment for fans, solidifying his place as a core part of the franchise's ongoing narrative.

Walter Emanuel Jones continues to work as a voice actor and remains a beloved figure on the convention circuit. His reprisal of Zack Taylor in *Once & Always* showcased his continued commitment to the character and his unique "Hip Hop Kido" style, which remains a fan favorite.

The original *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers* cast members have navigated fame, personal struggles, and immense public scrutiny. Their story is a powerful reminder that the real-life journeys of the actors behind the masks are often more complex, tragic, and ultimately human than the superhero narratives they portrayed on screen.