This article is about an actor in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. |
David Yost (born January 7, 1969 in Council Bluffs, Iowa) is an American actor who portrayed Billy Cranston in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993–1996) and Power Rangers Zeo (1996), with his most recent reprisal of the character in both Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always and Power Rangers Cosmic Fury.
Yost reprised his role as Billy in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, which is set in a different continuity from the main series. In addition, he played Cranston's ancestor, William in the 2-part episode "Wild West Rangers".
In August 2012, he attended Power Morphicon, a Power Rangers fan convention, hosting his own personal panel, as well as afterwards autographing several pieces of memorabilia to raise money on behalf of the Trevor Project. During the panel, several of his former co-stars came up and gave him a warm welcome in support of him.
Personal Life[]
- He attended co-star Thuy Trang's funeral in September 2001 along with former co-star Amy Jo Johnson.
- Yost came out as gay in 2010, and revealed that he originally left Power Rangers over constant harassment due to his sexuality for years onset from the crew, directors, writers, and even producers.[1] As a result, he had no involvement in how his character was written out nor did he know until years later. Shortly after this interview, producer Scott Page-Pagter stated that Yost left over a pay dispute and that the allegations of homophobia are false; he added that Yost did not get along with any of the crew.[2]
Filmography[]
Film[]
- Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) - Billy Cranston
- Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always (2023) - Billy Cranston
TV[]
- Power Rangers Zeo (1996) - Billy Cranston
- Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993–1996) - Billy Cranston, William
- Day of the Dumpster (original version) - Billy Cranston
- Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Official Fan Club Video (1994) - Billy Cranston
- Power Rangers Cosmic Fury (2023) - Billy Cranston
Archive Footage[]
- Power Rangers Dino Thunder
- Legacy of Power (2004)
- Bully for Ethan (2004) (Picture)
- The Lost Episode (1999)
- Power Rangers Zeo
- Masked Rider
- Super Gold (1996 VHS Release only)
- Lord Zedd's Monster Heads: The Greatest Villains of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1995)
- The Good, the Bad, and the Stupid: The Misadventures of Bulk and Skull (1995)
- Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Sega CD) (1995)
Notes[]
- David Yost is the oldest of the six original Ranger actors, being 23 years old during filming of the first season of MMPR and 24 by the time it premiered.
- He was the only cast member who appeared in every episode of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
- He received a B.A. in Communications at Graceland University.
- Yost auditioned for the role of Jason Lee Scott and even won the role. However, Yost felt that he would not be able to cope with the role of the leader, and the role was passed on to Austin St. John.
- Jason Narvy also auditioned for the role of Billy, but later was chosen to play Skull.[3]
- His favorite episodes of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are Food Fight, Power Ranger Punks, Peace, Love and Woe, and Switching Places.
- In January 5th 2019 on his Instagram Stories, he revealed that in 1996 he wrote the script for an episode of MMPR entitled Billy's Transformation. According to him, said script was considered too dark.
External links[]
- David Yost at Wikipedia.
- David Yost's Twitter
- David Yost Interview by No Pink Spandex
- David Yost at tv.com
- David Yost at imdb.com
- David Yost's Instagram
- David Yost's Cameo
- David Yost's Facebook