The Evolution of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Departures and Comebacks

About Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was a groundbreaking TV series that revolutionized the world of children's programming. The show was not only a massive hit but also a household name due to its innovative premise of five teenaged friends transforming into colorful heroes to fight evil. The series featured five main characters, each with a unique ranger and a corresponding power color. This article explores the departures of some of the original cast members and discusses what happened to them after their departure.

Original Cast Members - Departures and Comebacks

Despite the show's soaring popularity, some original cast members left the series over the years, leading to significant changes in the storyline and characters. Here’s a comprehensive look at the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and what happened to them:

Jason (Red Ranger)

Jason David Frank, the actor who played the original Red Ranger, left the series during the second season due to a pay dispute. He was replaced by Steve Cardenas but returned temporarily in the Zeo version as the Gold Ranger. Unfortunately, Jason passed away in November 2022 after battling mental health issues.

Zack (Blue Ranger)

Walter Jones, who played the Blue Ranger, left the show in the middle of the Zeo season in 1994. His character was written off as being sent to another planet. Years later, Jones returned for the special episode Once and Always and reappeared in the upcoming season Cosmic Fury.

Trini (Yellow Ranger)

Thuy Trang, the original Yellow Ranger, left the series in the middle of the second season in 1994. She was replaced by Karan Ashley (new Yellow Ranger, Aisha) who stayed with the show until its end. Trang tragically passed away in a car accident in 2001, but her character still appeared in Once and Always.

Kimberly (Pink Ranger)

Amy Jo Johnson, who played Kimberly, left the show in the middle of the third season in 1995. She returned briefly for a Christmas episode but was mostly absent until the Turbo movie in 2000. In the Turbo movie, she was mentioned as having broken up with Tommy via a Dear John letter, although this was not shown. She appears in the 2017 Power Rangers movie alongside Jason David Frank but not as Kimberly.

Billy (Mighty Morphin Blue Ranger)

David Yost, the actor who played Billy, left the Zeo season in 1996 due to personal issues, particularly because the crew members were hostile towards his sexual orientation. His character was written off as being old and sent to another planet. Yost later returned as the Blue Ranger for the special episode Once and Always and is set to appear in Cosmic Fury.

Conclusion

From pay disputes to personal challenges, the original cast members of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers underwent significant changes over the years. While some returned for special episodes, only a few remain from the original cast. The story of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is a testament to the enduring legacy of the show and the personal journeys of its iconic characters.