TV's Original Red Power Ranger Comes To Frankfort

FRANKFORT, IL — He might not be the red-suited man most people expect to be flying a fancy, animal-themed sky chariot this time of year. But that doesn't mean certain South Suburban residents won't be just as thrilled to see Austin St. John around Frankfort in the next few days as they would Santa Claus.

St. John, the actor who portrayed Red Ranger Jason Lee Scott during the original 1990s TV run of "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers," will be an early Christmas gift of sorts for fans of the series when he visits the village this weekend — hours ahead of Jolly Ol' St. Nick — for an autograph session at Amazing Fantasy Books and Comics. The three-hour event begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at the comic book and pop culture shop, 20505 S. LaGrange Road.

Touted as a surprise event, St. John's appearance will include signing autographs for and taking selfies with fans. Individual autographs or selfies cost $50 each. Autograph-selfie combos are $80. Details about Saturday's session can be found at the All Events website for Frankfort (warning: the page contains festive audio on autoplay) or Amazing Fantasy's Facebook page.

St. John, a native of Roswell, New Mexico, was one of the original Power Rangers for the live-action series, which began airing in 1993. He starred as the Red Ranger in nearly 80 episodes before leaving in the middle of the second season over contract difficulties. He rejoined the franchise as the Gold Ranger in 1996 and has appeared in a variety of spinoffs, including 1997's "Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie," the Power Rangers' second theatrical release.

Born Jason Geiger, the actor changed his name after his management team suggested the namesake of TV's "Six Million Dollar Man," Steve Austin. (Coincidentally, the first name of his character on "Power Rangers" was Jason.) St. John has been involved in various martial arts since he was 5. He has black belts in judo and taekwondo.

Austin St. John Autograph Session

When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23. The event runs three hours.

Where: Amazing Fantasy Books and Comics, 20505 S. LaGrange Road

Cost: Autographs or selfies are $50 each. Autograph-selfie combos are $80.

More Info: Go to the store's Facebook page or check out the session's page on All Events.

Actor Austin St. John, the original Red Ranger from the original "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" live-action TV series. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images)