Jason Lawrence Geiger is a 48-year-old, professionally called Austin St. John, paramedic, martial artist, and actor. He has been active since 1993 and worked in seven Power Ranger TV series, a movie, and a video game. Thus, he is known as the Red Power Ranger or Jason Lee Scott.
Power Rangers had many Red Rangers, but Austin has embarked his name in the history of Power Rangers. He did not get replaced in the show after his exit. Instead, the team brought a new character named Rocky DeSantos, played by Steve Cardenas. He became the new Red Ranger.
The writers were aware that the Red Ranger might not last long. So, they passed on the leadership to the White Ranger just a few episodes before Austin left the show. Similarly, Zack got replaced by Adam, and Trini by Aisha.
Later, Steve left the show during the ‘Turbo’ movie and got replaced by the Blue Ranger named Justin Stewart (played by Blake Anthony Foster). He is an actor and martial artist.
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How Austin St. John Became The Red Ranger
Jason Lawrence Geiger appeared on Fox Kids in 1993 for the first time as the Red Power Ranger, Jason Lee Scott, when he was only 19. He took the name ‘Austin’ from the American action and sci-fi TV series ‘The Six Million Dollar Man.’ The last name has been chosen by him. It is how Jason Lawrence Geiger became Austin St. John after joining debuting with the Power Rangers.
On the one hand, fame knocked his door. On the other hand, he had to undergo long hours of work with no union recognition and lower wages, $600 per week. He demanded higher wages and unionization but did not get the expected response. Thus, he left. Thuy Trang and Walter Emanuel Jones joined him while moving out of the show over lower wages.
Austin St. John Left The Power Rangers
It is difficult to digest that Austin has left Power Rangers, and he will not appear in ‘Once and Always,’ too. Austin’s contract was about to get renewed for the third season of Power Rangers. But, he decided to step out due to the lower payment offered. Trini and Zack also left the show and gave the same reason.
Austin and the other two ex-rangers got nominated to go to Switzerland and participate in the Peace Conference. On the other hand, the Power Rangers comics stated that Austin and the other two Rangers lied about the Peace Conference.
Later, Austin appeared in several Power Rangers series like Power Rangers Zeo (as the Gold Ranger), The Lost Episode (as Jason), Wild Force, and Beast Morphers (as the Red Ranger). The audience saw him in the ‘Grid Connection’ episode of The Power Rangers for the last time in 2020.
Austin did not provide an official reason for not appearing in Once & Always. However, he faced legal issues over fraud in May 2022, and the special was filmed by the end of 2022. So, it can be the potential reason for his backing off.
After Leaving The Power Rangers
Austin had said it before. He would join the show only if they provided him with enough amount. It is how they signed him—turbo movie’s last 17 episodes. So, the audiences feel that he came back for money. Some even think that Austin struggled in his career after leaving the show though he was famous. Austin practices Kenpo, Shenkito, Tae-Kwon Do, and Judo. He is a paramedic in Washington, D.C.
Apart from The Power Rangers, Austin has also worked in the movies like The Order, Steps Towards The Sun, Survival’s End, Tres Leches, Gideon’s Frontier, Monsters At Large, A Walk with Grace, and A Gift of The Heart.
Talking about the legal issues he faced after moving out of the show, Austin had submitted fraudulent documents in the Paycheck Protection Program, according to the Department of Justice.
Austin got more than $400,000 through the government, and the combined amount turned out to be $3.5 million. If the court gets enough evidence, he will end up serving 20 years in jail. However, Austin can go out of Texas only for previously signed work after obtaining permission from the court. Similarly, he cannot discuss the matter in public entertainment-based events.
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