Jason David Frank
Date of Birth: September 4, 1973
Place of Birth: Covina, Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Death: November 19, 2022
Date of Death: Houston, Texas, U.S.
Ethnicity:
*father – German, English, Irish
*mother – Greek, Polish
Jason David Frank was an American actor and mixed martial arts fighter. He played Tommy Oliver, originally the Green Ranger, in the Power Rangers franchise. He created his own form of American karate, Toso Kune Do.
Jason was sometimes thought to be Native American (his character on Power Rangers is Native American), but he did not have Native American ancestry.
Jason had three children with his first wife Shawna, and a daughter with his second wife Tammie.
Jason’s paternal grandfather was Walter Thomas Frank (the son of Walter W. Frank and Marie Davis). Jason’s grandfather Walter was born in Ohio. Jason’s great-grandfather Walter was born in Ohio, to German parents, August Julius Frank and Emma A./E. Glinke/Glink/Glienke. Marie was the daughter of Thomas H. Davis and Elizabeth C. “Bessie” McGrath.
Jason’s paternal grandmother was Elizabeth “Libby” Martin (the daughter of Charles H. Martin and Eula Carol Wood). Elizabeth was born in Ohio. Charles was the son of Frank W. Martin and Flora/Florilla Belle Turner. Eula was the daughter of Ebenezer Wood and Minerva Dell Rowling.
Jason’s maternal grandfather was William Peter Soter (born Vasili Soteropoulos, the son of Peter/Panyiotis Nickolas Soter/Soteropoulos and Christina/Chrissoula Phillips/Philipopoulos). Bill was born in Greece. Jason’s great-grandfather Peter was born in Siamo, Messenia, Greece, the son of Nickolas Soteropoulos. Christina was born in Meropi, Messenia.
Jason’s maternal grandmother was Olga Bernice Podgorny (the daughter of Andrzej/Andrew Anthony Podgorny and Mary Josephine Witek). Olga was born in Iowa, to Polish parents. Andrzej was from Zamieście, near Limanowa, and was the son of Matthew Podgorny and Kunegunda Biedron. Mary Josephine was from Tarnow, and was the daughter of John Witek and Agnes Shob.
Sources: Jason’s paternal grandfather, Walter Thomas Frank, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Marriage record of Jason’s paternal great-grandparents, Walter W. Frank and Marie Davis – https://www.familysearch.org
Jason’s maternal grandmother, Olga Bernice Podgorny, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Death record of Jason’s maternal grandmother, Olga Bernice (Podgorny) Soter – https://familysearch.org
Death record of Jason’s maternal great-grandmother, Mary Josephine (Witek) Podgorny – https://familysearch.org
Jason’s maternal grandfather was William Peter Soter
the son of Peter/Panyiotis Nickolas Soter/Soteropoulos and Christina/Chrissoula Phillips/Philipopoulos). Bill was born in Greece. Peter was born in Siamo, Messenia, Greece, to Nickolas Soteropoulos. Christina was born in Meropi, Messenia, Greece.
>Walter was born in Ohio.
>August Julius Frank and Emma A./E. Glinke/Glink/Glienke.
Jason’s paternal grandmother was Elizabeth ”Libby” Martin (the daughter of Charles H. Martin and Eula Carol Wood). Elizabeth was born in Ohio. Charles was the son of Frank W. Martin and Flora/Florilla Belle Turner. Eula was the daughter of Ebenezer Wood and Minerva Dell Rowling.
Jason’s maternal grandmother’s surname was “Podgorny”. -> Olga Bernice Podgorny
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGT5-VF3
Her on a census:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8BG-F4M
Her parents were Andrew/Andrzej Podgorny and Mary Josephine Witek.
Andrew was from Zamieście near Limanowa, Mary was from Tarnów. Mary’s parents were John Witek and Agnes Shob.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQ21-47B
He does that Mediterranean sexiness.
His green ranger character was native American? I couldn’t tell
It was mentioned in a couple of episodes, like “Sowing the Seas of Evil” and “Brother, Can You Spare an Arrowhead?”
When I was a little older, I thought Frank is Jewish, because of his name.
His grandfather Bill was from Athens, Greece.
Father is Raivo “Ray” C. Frank.
Paternal grandparents were Walter T. Frank (the son of Walter Frank) and Elizabeth L. Jason’s great-grandfather Walter was born in Ohio, to German parents, August J. Frank and Emma A.
Are you sure that his mother was of Polish origin? I think “Podgorny” can also be Ukrainian.
His Polish ancestry is just something I read on his Wikipedia talk page.
So is Jason David Frank Native American? Or has my childhood legend been busted?