He wasn't just a guy in a spandex suit. For a generation of kids in 1993, Red Power Ranger Jason was the blueprint for what a leader should look like. No capes. No gritty reboots. Just a teenager with attitude who actually looked like he knew how to throw a punch.
Austin St. John, the actor behind Jason Lee Scott, wasn't just some Hollywood kid who learned choreography on the fly. He was a legitimate martial artist. That's the secret sauce. That's why, when you rewatch Mighty Morphin Power Rangers today, his movements have a weight and a snap that some of the later seasons lacked.
The Audition That Changed Everything
Think back to the early 90s. Haim Saban was trying to sell a show that mixed Japanese Super Sentai footage with American actors. It sounded like a disaster on paper. When they were casting for the role of the Red Power Ranger Jason, they weren't looking for Shakespearean actors. They needed athletes.
Austin St. John famously showed up to the audition on a dare. He was seventeen. He had been training in martial arts since he was five years old, holding black belts in Taekwondo, Judo, and Kenpo. During the casting process, the producers asked the actors to show off their skills. While others were doing jazz hands or dramatic monologues, Austin was doing literal gravity-defying kicks. He got the part because he was the real deal.
Honestly, the chemistry of that original cast—Jason, Trini, Zack, Kimberly, and Billy—is lightning in a bottle. But Jason was the anchor. He was the one who had to sell the stakes. When he shouted "It's Morphin Time!" it didn't feel cheesy to an eight-year-old. It felt like a call to arms.
Breaking Down the Jason vs. Tommy Rivalry
You can’t talk about Red Power Ranger Jason without talking about the "Green with Evil" arc. This was the peak of 90s afternoon television.
Enter Tommy Oliver.
The introduction of the Green Ranger flipped the script. Before this, the Rangers always won. Then comes this new kid played by Jason David Frank who absolutely wrecks them. The rivalry between Jason and Tommy wasn't just about who was the better fighter. It was a clash of leadership styles. Jason was the disciplined commander; Tommy was the unpredictable wildcard.
That Iconic Boiler Room Fight
One of the most physically intense scenes in the entire first season happens in a dark, grimy boiler room. Jason is stripped of his morpher. He’s fighting Tommy—who is still under Rita Repulsa’s spell—unmorphed.
👉 See also: YouTube TV Free Trial: What Most People Get Wrong Before Signing Up
It’s raw.
You see the martial arts background of both actors on full display. There are no stunt doubles for the wide shots here. Jason’s ability to stay calm under pressure, eventually destroying the Sword of Darkness and breaking the spell, solidified him as the "alpha" of the group. Even when Tommy eventually became the White Ranger and took over the leadership role later on, fans of the original run always viewed Jason as the true heart of the team.
Why He Left (And the Reality of 90s TV Salaries)
Success doesn't always mean a big paycheck. This is the part that sucks. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was a global phenomenon. It was printing money. Toys, bedsheets, lunchboxes—the Red Ranger’s face was everywhere.
But the actors? They were barely making more than minimum wage.
In 1994, right in the middle of the second season, the show underwent a massive shift. Jason, Trini (Thuy Trang), and Zack (Walter Jones) left the series. The "official" story in the show was that they were chosen to attend a World Peace Conference in Switzerland.
The real story was a contract dispute.
They wanted a living wage. Saban said no. It was a bold move for Austin St. John to walk away from the biggest show in the world, but it highlighted a harsh reality of the entertainment industry back then. The characters were replaced by Rocky, Aisha, and Adam. And while those actors did a fine job, the show lost a certain "grit" when the original Red Power Ranger Jason exited.
The Return of the King: Gold Ranger and Beyond
Most fans thought they'd seen the last of Jason until 1996. Power Rangers Zeo was struggling to find its footing after the transition from the original costumes. Then, a mysterious Gold Ranger appeared.
The reveal that Jason was the Gold Ranger is still one of the best "pop" moments in franchise history.
He came back older, buffed up, and with a different energy. He wasn't the leader anymore—Tommy was—but he was the veteran. The "Big Brother" figure. This return proved that the character of Jason Lee Scott was bigger than just the Red suit.
Forever Red: The Ultimate Crossover
If you want to see the impact of Red Power Ranger Jason, watch the "Forever Red" episode from Power Rangers Wild Force. It brought back almost every Red Ranger from the show's history.
Seeing Austin St. John suit up again alongside the newer generations showed the lineage of the show. He was the one the other Rangers looked up to. He was the "Original."
📖 Related: Which of Conan O'Brien's Brothers Looks Just Like Him: The Luke O'Brien Mystery Explained
The Impact on Martial Arts and Fitness
It’s easy to dismiss a kids' show as fluff. But Jason's character actually drove thousands of kids into dojos.
- Discipline: Jason’s character often spent his "civilian" time teaching karate classes at the Youth Center. This framed martial arts as a tool for self-improvement, not just violence.
- Representation: While the show has been criticized for its color-coded casting in hindsight, Jason represented a specific type of stoic, responsible masculinity that wasn't toxic. He looked out for the "nerd" of the group, Billy, and treated everyone as equals.
- Physicality: Austin St. John’s physique was different from the typical "lean" actors of the era. He was built like a heavyweight, which gave the Red Ranger a sense of power.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Red Ranger
A common misconception is that the Red Ranger is always the strongest. In the lore of the show, that's rarely true. Usually, the "Sixth Ranger" (like Green, White, or Gold) has the higher power level.
What made Jason special wasn't his "power level." It was his tactical mind.
He was the one coordinating the Megazord attacks. He was the one who knew when to retreat and when to push forward. Being the Red Power Ranger Jason was about the burden of responsibility. If a team member got hurt, it was on him. That weight made him relatable.
How to Channel Your Inner Red Ranger Today
You don't need a Power Coin to adopt the mindset that made Jason a fan favorite. It comes down to a few core principles that Austin St. John actually lives by in his real life—having spent years as a paramedic and firefighter after his time in Hollywood.
1. Mastery of Craft
Jason didn't just "show up." He practiced. Whether you're into coding, carpentry, or cardio, the "Jason" way is to be the most technically proficient person in the room. Don't fake it. Do the work.
2. Calm Under Fire
The Red Ranger didn't panic when a giant gold monkey (Goldar) was trying to crush him. He assessed the situation. In your daily life, when things go sideways at work or home, take that three-second "tactical breath" before reacting.
3. Loyalty Over Ego
Jason was willing to step aside and let others lead when it was best for the team. Real leadership isn't about having the loudest voice; it's about ensuring the mission is accomplished.
4. Physical Readiness
You don't have to be a black belt, but there's a psychological link between physical movement and mental toughness. Jason was a "teenager with attitude," but that attitude was backed up by a body that was ready for anything.
✨ Don't miss: The Devil Went Down to Georgia Lyrics: Why This Fiddle Duel Still Hits Different
If you're looking to dive deeper into the history of the show, check out the Power Rangers: Ranger Station archives or the Boom! Studios comic book series, which expands on Jason’s "missing years" during the Peace Conference. The comics, specifically the Shattered Grid storyline, give Jason a level of depth and trauma that the 90s TV show couldn't touch.
The legacy of the original leader is secure. He wasn't just a character; he was the entry point for millions into the world of heroism. Whether he’s wearing red or gold, Jason Lee Scott remains the definitive standard for what it means to lead.