Thuy Trang is being paid tribute by the cast of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
As reported by EW, Thuy Trang is being remembered by the cast of 1993’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
Trang replaced original actress Audri Dubios and joined the team after the pilot was shot.
Trang, who played the Yellow Ranger, was tragically killed in a car accident in 2001 at the young age of 27. The Vietnamese-born American actress was on route to San Francisco from Los Angeles to attend her friend Angela Rockwood’s wedding. Trang was due to be Rockwood’s bridesmaid. Their vehicle swerved off the road and hit a rock face.
To commemorate Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ 25th anniversary, the original cast have shared their memories of Trang with EW.
Original Red Ranger Austin St. John, 44, recalls how Trang would keep him warm on set. “The command center used to be freezing cold,” he said. “Wearing nothing but spandex, we were all cold. We used to hold each other just to stay warm and chat in between shooting scenes. It was like a brother-and-sister sort of thing.”
Original Black Ranger Walter Emanuel Jones, 48, described Trang as a “really good friend”.
“I was so proud of the work she was doing in films like The Crow!” Jones recalls. “It hurt my heart to lose her. She was way too young and had so much more to share with the world. I remember how sweet Thuy was to people. She especially had a way with kids. Her energy drew you in, and her smile made your heart feel safe.”
Jason David Frank, who played the Green Ranger, described how committed Trang was to her work.
“I remember Thuy was always getting hurt on set,” the 45-year-old actor said. “She put her all into the scenes, so sometimes things happen. I especially remember her having to be carried around a lot due to getting hurt. She was always so positive and gave her all. I’ll always remember that about her.”
Original Blue Ranger David Yost remembers receiving the call about Trang’s death.
“[Original Pink Ranger Amy Jo Johnson] was the person who called to tell me,” Yost recalled. “I was so shocked. I remember calling Thuy’s voicemail a few times after I found out just to hear her voice and leave her a message saying I’ll miss her. Learning about her early childhood and everything she and her family went through leaving Vietnam, becoming refugees and immigrating to the United States, I admired her and her family’s strength to rebuild their lives here. I’ll always remember her great laugh and infectious smile.”
Johnson, 44, spoke at a service for Trang in 2001 and remembers her “strong personality.”
“I’ll always remember her spunky, strong personality,” said Johnson. “She was such a bright light. It’s hard to believe she’s gone.”
