Austin St. John
Encyclopedia
Austin St. John is a former American
actor
and martial artist known for his role in the popular Power Rangers
children's television series
as Jason Lee Scott
, the original Red Ranger and first leader of the Power Rangers. He is an emergency medical technician
and firefighter
.
in Judo
, and he also practices Shenkito and Kenpo
.
. At the age of 17 when the series premiered on the Fox Network, he was the youngest member of the original cast, but was also the most experienced at martial arts, which was integrated into his character on the show. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was an instant success and quickly became one of the highest-rated children's television programs ever. However, Austin left the series mid-way through the second season, due to a contract and pay dispute, and was replaced as the Red Ranger on the show by Steve Cardenas
, who also played the role of the Red Ranger in the first Power Rangers movie
instead of St. John.
St. John later returned to the franchise as the Gold Ranger in Power Rangers: Zeo
and as a guest star in the second Power Rangers movie
, along with his former castmate Amy Jo Johnson
(Kimberly Hart
, the original Pink Ranger). He also co-hosted the 1999 Power Rangers special titled "The Lost Episode," with his former castmate and close friend Walter Emanuel Jones
(Zack Taylor
, the original Black Ranger), in which they both discussed the history of Power Rangers up to that point and also presented the original, never-before-seen pilot of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
St. John's last Power Rangers appearance was in the tenth anniversary special "Forever Red," where he joined nine other Red Ranger actors. He once again played the original Red Ranger and was reunited with his former castmate Jason David Frank
(Tommy Oliver
, the franchise's longest-serving Power Ranger). St. John was also one of the guest speakers who appeared at the 2007 Power Morphicon convention held in Los Angeles
, which celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Power Rangers franchise.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and martial artist known for his role in the popular Power Rangers
Power Rangers
Power Rangers is a long-running American entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live action children's television series featuring teams of costumed heroes...
children's television series
Children's television series
Children's television series, are commercial television programs designed for, and marketed to children, normally scheduled for broadcast during the morning and afternoon when children are awake. They can sometimes run in the early evening, for the children that go to school...
as Jason Lee Scott
Jason Lee Scott
Jason Lee Scott is a fictional character in the Power Rangers franchise, played by actor Austin St. John. Jason is best remembered as the original Red Ranger from the first entry of the franchise, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, as well as the leader of the original team of Power Rangers...
, the original Red Ranger and first leader of the Power Rangers. He is an emergency medical technician
Emergency medical technician
Emergency Medical Technician or Ambulance Technician are terms used in some countries to denote a healthcare provider of emergency medical services...
and firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
.
Personal life
St. John has been practicing martial arts since he was five and holds a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do,http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/101904521.html?dids=101904521:101904521&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+24,+1994&author=By+Candida+Rivera,+Stephanie+Matamoros+and+Mary-Ellen&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=KIDSDAY+TALKING+WITH+Austin+St.+John&pqatl=google a first-degree black beltBlack Belt
Black Belt may refer to:*Black belt , an indication of attainment of a high rank of skill in martial arts**Black Belt Magazine, a magazine covering martial arts news, technique, and notable individuals*Black Belt Black Belt may refer to:*Black belt (martial arts), an indication of attainment of a...
in Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, and he also practices Shenkito and Kenpo
Kenpo
is the name of several Japanese martial arts. The word kenpō is a Japanese translation of the Chinese word "quánfǎ. This term is often informally transliterated as "kempo", as a result of applying Traditional Hepburn romanization, but failing to use a macron to indicate the long vowel...
.
Power Rangers
St. John's first major role in acting was in 1993, when he starred as Jason Lee Scott, the Red Power Ranger, in Saban Entertainment's Mighty Morphin Power RangersMighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is an American live-action children's television series based on the 16th installment of the Japanese Super Sentai franchise, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. Both the show and its related merchandise saw unbridled overnight success, catapulting into pop culture in mere months...
. At the age of 17 when the series premiered on the Fox Network, he was the youngest member of the original cast, but was also the most experienced at martial arts, which was integrated into his character on the show. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was an instant success and quickly became one of the highest-rated children's television programs ever. However, Austin left the series mid-way through the second season, due to a contract and pay dispute, and was replaced as the Red Ranger on the show by Steve Cardenas
Steve Cardenas
Stephen Antonio Cardenas is a former Mexican-American actor and martial artist, perhaps most noted for playing Rocky DeSantos in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series....
, who also played the role of the Red Ranger in the first Power Rangers movie
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie is a 1995 American superhero action fantasy based on the television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers on Fox Kids. It featured the characters and actors from the series itself, and used the zords from Ninja Sentai Kakuranger...
instead of St. John.
St. John later returned to the franchise as the Gold Ranger in Power Rangers: Zeo
Power Rangers: Zeo
Power Rangers Zeo is an American superhero television series and the second installment of the Power Rangers franchise that is a continuation of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, that aired in 1996. It is based on the Super Sentai series Chōriki Sentai Ohranger...
and as a guest star in the second Power Rangers movie
Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie
Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie is a 1997 American superhero action science fantasy film directed by David Winning and Shuki Levy. It is set in the Power Rangers universe, serving as a bridge between Power Rangers Zeo and Power Rangers Turbo...
, along with his former castmate Amy Jo Johnson
Amy Jo Johnson
Amy Jo Johnson is an American actress, singer, songwriter and musician.She is best known for her roles in the televison series as the constable Jules Callaghan in the Canadian CTV television series Flashpoint, the famous jockey Tina Sharp in the ABC Family's original show Wildfire, the rookie cop...
(Kimberly Hart
Kimberly Hart
Kimberly Ann Hart is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe. She was played by actress Amy Jo Johnson during the first three seasons of the show, plus on the two feature films of the franchise. Kimberly is best remembered as the first Pink Ranger from the first entry of the franchise...
, the original Pink Ranger). He also co-hosted the 1999 Power Rangers special titled "The Lost Episode," with his former castmate and close friend Walter Emanuel Jones
Walter Emanuel Jones
Walter Emanuel Jones is an American actor and dancer known for playing the role of Zack Taylor, the Black Ranger on the hit television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.-Life and career:...
(Zack Taylor
Zack Taylor
Zachary "Zack" Taylor is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe, appearing in the television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. He is the original Black Ranger of the first generation of Power Rangers...
, the original Black Ranger), in which they both discussed the history of Power Rangers up to that point and also presented the original, never-before-seen pilot of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
St. John's last Power Rangers appearance was in the tenth anniversary special "Forever Red," where he joined nine other Red Ranger actors. He once again played the original Red Ranger and was reunited with his former castmate Jason David Frank
Jason David Frank
Jason David Frank is an American actor, martial artist and professional mixed martial arts fighter, best known for playing Tommy Oliver in Power Rangers.- Early life :...
(Tommy Oliver
Tommy Oliver
Dr. Thomas "Tommy" Oliver is a fictional character from the universe of the American children's television franchise Power Rangers. He is a main character in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series, as well as four of its successive incarnations Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo,...
, the franchise's longest-serving Power Ranger). St. John was also one of the guest speakers who appeared at the 2007 Power Morphicon convention held in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, which celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Power Rangers franchise.
Television
| Year | Television program | Portraying | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–1994 | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers | Jason Lee Scott / Red Power Ranger | Starring role (80 episodes) |
| 1996 | Power Rangers: Zeo | Jason Lee Scott / Gold Zeo Ranger | Starring role (17 episodes) |
| 1999 | Power Rangers: The Lost Episode | Himself / Jason Lee Scott / Red Power Ranger | Co-host / Co-star (original pilot Day of the Dumpster "Day of the Dumpster" is the first episode of the American television program Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and, as a result, the first episode of the Power Rangers franchise. It was initially broadcast on August 28, 1993, on the Fox Network, as part of the Fox Kids programming block, and was later... ) |
| 2002 | Power Rangers: Wild Force Power Rangers: Wild Force Power Rangers Wild Force is the tenth anniversary of the Power Rangers franchise, based on the Super Sentai series Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger, which itself was the 25th anniversary of Super Sentai.Power Rangers Wild Force takes place in 2002... |
Jason Lee Scott / Red Power Ranger | Guest star ("Forever Red") |
| 2003 | Footsteps | Police Investigator |
Film
| Film | Year | Portraying |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities | Himself |
| 1997 | Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie | Jason Lee Scott |
Books
- Austin St. John is the author of the book Karate Warrior: A Beginner's Guide to Martial Arts. - ISBN 1-56138-784-3