Power Rangers Secrets Revealed: Actors Faced Horrible Conditions!

by

Summary

  • Cast members of the hit series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers faced unsafe conditions and low pay.
  • The actors endured intense working hours and physically demanding scenes without proper support.
  • Some cast members experienced discrimination and a lack of healthcare protection while filming the hit Power Rangers show.

A number of people connected to the production of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV show have reflected on their past experiences during filming. They claim that the environment may have been abusive towards the child actors.

The television show known as “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” was incredibly popular during its run from 1993 to 1995, as indicated by the numerous action figures, video games, costumes, and other merchandise sold under the “Power Rangers” brand. The initial cast included Austin St. John as Jason Lee Scott, Walter Emanuel Jones as Zack Taylor, Thuy Trang as Trini Kwan, Amy Jo Johnson as Kimberly Hart, David Yost as Billy Cranston, and Jason David Frank as Tommy Oliver. They were all in their late teens and early 20s while filming the series. However, it has been revealed over time that the working conditions on set and the actors’ compensation did not align with the show’s level of success.

In the third installment of Investigation Discovery’s latest docuseries, Hollywood Demons, titled “The Hidden Evils of Power Rangers,” they delved into the distressing work environment on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Tony Oliver, the show’s primary writer, admitted that the series exploited those who worked on it, particularly the actors, who weren’t only expected to recite lines but also perform action sequences with limited safety provisions. Previous reports suggest that some cast members even performed stunts without proper training, resulting in injuries. Essentially, these contracts allowed for excessive labor, and they did so. Oliver further disclosed that filming hours exceeded the recommended work hours, and he acknowledged that it could be demanding and sometimes harsh towards the actors. He added that the main stars were subjected to such treatment.

Actors don’t merely memorize lines; they engage in active, physical performances. They need regular exercise and training to embody their characters effectively. Consequently, our shooting days often extended to 12-14 hours, while union standards allow for only 8-10 hours. This could potentially push the actors beyond their limits.

Aubri Dubois, initially chosen as the Yellow Ranger, experienced mistreatment during filming of the initial pilot episode, which ultimately didn’t air due to Trang taking her place. As Dubois recounts, the production team decided to shift the action scene to a desert setting. Reportedly, it was scorching hot, with temperatures soaring to 110 degrees, and allegedly someone had heatstroke among the villain characters who wore heavy costumes and masks. Dubois recalled that she and her co-stars agreed to halt filming until the affected individual was transported to an ambulance.

Working On The Original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Show Was Not Easy

Previously, both Jones and St. John openly discussed their meager income from the highly successful TV series. As per Jones, the earnings from this hit project didn’t make them rich, despite its massive success. Moreover, Austin pointed out that they had financial struggles because the show wasn’t union-backed, leading to poor payment for cast and crew. While the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers boosted their fame, the actors revealed that they earned more from car shows since their earnings from the TV series were insufficient to cover their living expenses.

Initially, “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” captivated young audiences due to its thrilling action sequences, vibrant characters, and engaging storylines. However, off-camera events were less appealing for some. Various cast members expressed concerns about low wages, hazardous working conditions, discrimination, and insufficient support. Previously, creator Yost disclosed experiences of homophobic harassment from certain crew members due to his sexual orientation. The franchise started adhering to union standards in 2018, leading to improved treatment for the actors and better compensation. Remarkably, cast members who were part of “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” continue expressing gratitude for their involvement in the show, with several reuniting in 2023 for “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always,” a celebration of the franchise’s 30th anniversary.

Read More

2025-04-05 21:24