Becoming famous for starring in a children’s show can be a mixed blessing. Plenty of actors who had their big break in popular children’s or genre franchises have lamented being typecast and forever being associated with something less serious than the sort of roles they might aspire to.
Jason David Frank is not one of them.
"Everything I've done, I've branded who I am and I'm proud of it," he tells The National before appearing before eager fans at the Middle East Film and Comic Con in Dubai.
“I’m a superhero, man. I’m the Green Ranger. Too many actors run away from who they are.”
Now 44, Frank does nothing to distance himself from the role he was cast in at 19, still appearing in Power Rangers media and travelling the world to meet fans of the series.
"It's awesome being in the UAE," he says. "It's amazing. Dubai really is the greatest city. The people are great too."
Physical fitness is important to Frank, not just as someone who may have to put on green spandex at a moment’s notice, but as a competitive martial artist as well.
"I'm 44, but because I'm training all the time I'm looped up. I'm constantly training, staying in MMA [mixed martial arts] shape in case I get a fight."
Frank says there's a lot of exciting news in store for Power Rangers fans this year, but he can't say too much just yet. "Watch the TV show very carefully, watch Power Rangers HyperForce and stay tuned," he says. "It's great to see Power Rangers becoming a classic.
“I’m old enough to be a classic – it’s kind of crazy.”
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