Jason David Frank Shared a Dark Secret with Fellow Power Ranger Jason Faunt Before He Died by Suicide

Power Rangers fans the world over were left heartbroken in November 2022 when one of the franchise’s biggest stars, Jason David Frank, died by suicide at age 49.

The beloved actor and mixed martial artist rose to fame playing Tommy Oliver, the original Green Ranger in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers franchise, and went on to portray the White Ranger and star in other seasons of the long-running hit series.

In later years, Frank struggled with addiction and deep emotional turmoil, especially after his brother, Erik Frank, killed himself in 2001 at age 29.

On Nov. 20, 2022, Frank was staying at a Texas hotel with his wife, Tammie Frank, when he died by suicide.

That evening, the two had gone to a country bar. “We were having a great time,” she recalls in an upcoming episode of Investigation Discovery’s six-part series, Hollywood Demons, which explores the dark side of fame.

Airing Monday, April 7, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ID and streaming on Max, the episode, titled “Dark Side of the Power Rangers,” goes in depth on the so-called “curse” plaguing the franchise, including the deaths, run-ins with the law and other tragedies that befell many of its actors.

In Frank’s tragic case, when he and Tammie returned to their hotel, “We were talking, and he was like, ‘I’m going to go shower,’” she recalls in the episode. She told him, “I love you,” as she headed out the door to find some snacks. 

When she returned, the door was locked. She banged on the door but there was no answer.

Front desk staff called the police. Officers entered the room and found Frank dead inside the bathroom.

News of his death devastated Tammie and his children and left his many friends, legions of fans, and former colleagues shaken.

Power Rangers alum Nakia Burrise was on her way to a fan event when she got the news from another Ranger.

“She said that Jason is gone,” Burrise says tearfully in the episode.

Frank was found with a cord he pulled off a dryer around his neck, and multiple drugs in his system, Dr. Drew Pinsky says in the episode.

No one will ever know why the 49-year-old actor did what he did, leaving behind sons Hunter and Jacob and daughters Skye and Jenna.

But in the episode, his fellow Power Ranger, Jason Faunt, says that his longtime friend told him something before he took his life that he thinks may have played a role in his decision.

“He pulled me aside and he just revealed to me something that had happened,” Faust says in the episode. “The conversations that we had — some of them I’m gonna keep to myself.” 

“But I will tell you this, he was really struggling with some stuff and I think that that’s when I realized there was something else at play here that I hadn’t seen before.”

Faust wouldn’t reveal exactly what his friend told him but clarified that it didn’t have anything to do with the Power Rangers or his wife.

“The conversations had nothing to do with Tammie at all,” he says. “I wanted to make sure I communicated that.”

In the series, Pinsky says that Frank’s depression, his belief that he was a burden to others, along with his withdrawal from meaningful activities, were “all very troubling signs.” But Pinsky adds, “On the flip side, had recently been posting on Facebook where he seemed positive.”

Shortly before he died, Frank posted a video on social media telling fans about a movie he had been working on that he was very proud of, titled Legend of the White Dragon.

“He’s my best friend,” says Tammie in the episode. “I miss him.”

Hollywood Demons: Dark Side of the Power Rangers, airs on Monday, April 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ID and streams on Max.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.