By Matt, Middle Tennessee Geek
While the Power Rangers franchise has been a staple of children’s television here in America since August of 1993, that continued to have new episodes with new themed seasons every year, until its abrupt end in September 2023, marking the end of an era us fans grew to know for the last 30 years.
But one thing that us 30-year fans came to know was the myth that the actors that played on the beloved show, no matter the season. Would feel the curse of the show and struggle to get acting roles outside of anything that wasn’t Power Rangers. While this is a subject of myth, there have been many actors who did not act much if at all after being on a Power Rangers cast or even chose to move on different career paths. Although, there are still plenty of former ranger actors out there that have continued to work and find success as an actor. While this could be a long list, I wanted to highlight the top 3 that came to mind.
Brandon Jay McLaren (SPD Red Ranger)
Brandon already had an impressive start to his acting resume before even being booked as the strong headed, but with a heart of gold leader on Power Rangers SPD. After the show concluded in 2005, he continued to carve out a name for himself with a long list of film and TV shows. To name a few of the hits we have, She’s the Man, alongside young Channing Tatum and Amanda Bynes. Smallville, Kyle XY, CSI, Graceland, Chicago Fire, Ransom, The Rookie and his latest show The Cleaning Lady. While Brandon does stay busy with his acting roles, he still is grateful to his Power Rangers fans and makes appearances when he is able to. For example, he was just at this year’s Rangerstop and Pop in Atlanta, along side SPD commander Doggie Cruger (John Tui).
Rose Mclver (RPM Yellow Ranger)
This New Zealand born native, had already been hard at work as an actress before getting into gear on Power Rangers RPM. With guest role on Shortland Street for 3 episodes, 3 TV movies all from the Hercules titles. Disney D-Com movies, Eddie’s Million Dollar Cook-off, and Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board. And not to forget the role of Lindsey Salmon in The Lovely Bones, alongside Hollywood great Mark Wahlberg. Rose did not stop after there defeating the Venjix virus. She would go on to do many other projects, some of which include a short role as Tinker Bell in Once Upon a Time, Amber in the Netflix movies A Christmas Prince, A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding and The Princess Switch: Switched Again. However, her most well-known roles was those of the lead role of Olivia in the TV series iZombie. Along with her ongoing role since 2021 has Samantha in the series Ghosts. With this long and impressive resume of work, it’s obvious she never heard of any curse of being a power ranger. Although it would be nice to see her making appearances for her fans if she ever gets a break from her busy schedule.
Erin Cahill (Time Force Pink Ranger)
With over 135 credits to her name on IMDb, Erin has become one of the top working actresses that came from Power Rangers. But it’s hard to say she wouldn’t have been great, coming on has the first female leader wearing pink in the Power Rangers Time Force series. Erin’s acting skills were well on display as the heartbroken Time Force officer, bent on doing whatever it took to get the evil Ransik back into custody. To the soft tearful Jenn Scott that was sad she had to leave Wes in the end. With voice acting credits in video games, to countless appearances in TV shows such has How I Met Your Mother, CSI: Miami, Supernatural, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, among others. Just barely holds a flicker to the candle of the multitude of Hallmark TV movies she has done, including A Taste of Love, alongside Cobra Kai star Martin Kove, Christmas on Cherry Lane, and Autumn at Apple Hill, just to name a few. I was fortunate enough to have recently met Erin at Rangerstop and Pop. And I must say, she is the most loving person with her fans. Especially her young fans like my little 5-year-old daughter. So, if you ever get a chance to meet her in the rare times, she makes appearances you won’t be disappointed.
While there are many more former Power Ranger actors that have found success beyond the morphin grid these are just a few examples showing how the myth can be settled as just a myth. That it takes hard work, talent, and dedication to the craft to make it if you truly want to.
