Steve Cardenas

Last updated
Steve Cardenas
4.17.16SteveCardenasByLuigiNovi1.jpg
Cardenas in April 2016
Born
Stephen Antonio Cardenas

(1974-05-29) May 29, 1974 (age 49)
Occupations
  • Martial artist
  • actor
  • musician
Years active1992–present (actor)
1986–present (martial artist)
Known forRocky DeSantos / The Red Ranger / Blue Zeo Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Power Rangers Zeo
Height1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Website Cardenas on Instagram
Cardenas on Twitter

Stephen Antonio Cardenas (born May 29, 1974) is an American martial artist and actor. He is best known for playing the character Rocky DeSantos, the second Red Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and eventually the Blue Zeo Ranger in Power Rangers Zeo . [1]

Contents

Early life

Cardenas was born Stephen Antonio Cardenas on May 29, 1974, in Hampton, Virginia, at the Langley Air Force Base. Spending his early childhood as a military brat, Cardenas was raised in San Antonio, Texas. He is of Puerto Rican and Spanish ancestry. [2] He started training in martial arts when he was about 12 years old and reached black belt in Taekwondo at age 16. He has been training in the martial arts for over 30 years and has earned a 5th degree black belt in Taekwondo and a 2nd degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. [3]

Career

At age 20, Cardenas left his native Texas and settled in Los Angeles to audition for a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers role that would change his life. His character, Rocky DeSantos, replaced Jason Lee Scott as the Red Ranger in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series, and later became the Blue Zeo Ranger for Power Rangers Zeo . He had no previous acting experience and had to learn on the job. Cardenas left the Power Rangers series and retired from acting during Power Rangers Turbo , due to contract disagreements, and possibly to focus on his martial arts career. [4] Many years later, starting at the 2007 Power Morphicon convention, he began making convention appearances with other former cast members. [5]

After Power Rangers , he owns a martial arts studio in Burbank, California and one in his hometown of San Antonio. In 2009, he started a kids-specific program at Hollywood Brazilian jiu-jitsu studio in West Hollywood, and in 2011 he opened the Force/Balance Brazilian jiu-jitsu & Yoga school. Cardenas had become interested in Brazilian jiu-jitsu after losing a friendly match against "a blue belt in BJJ... [he] choked me out in 10 seconds! He was only training for a year and a half at that time and I had been training for 10 yrs. It was an immediate eye opener." The style was more difficult for him to learn than other martial arts disciplines. [6]

He holds multiple awards from martial arts contests, including two Silver Medals at Copa Pacifica (2009 and 2011), Gold Medal winner of the 2009 American National Championship, Gold Medal in the 2010 Jujitsu Pro Gear Open, and Silver Medal in the 2010 No-Gi World Championships. [6]

In 2017, he starred in the short movie The Order alongside Austin St. John, Catherine Sutherland, David Yost, Johnny Yong Bosch, Paul Schrier, Karan Ashley, Walter Emanuel Jones, Erin Cahill, Blake Foster, Nakia Burrise, Hilary Shepard Turner, Dan Southworth, Alyson Sullivan, Deborah Estelle Phillips and Azim Rizk. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

For the first time since Power Rangers Turbo, Cardenas returned to the Power Rangers Franchise in Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel for the 25th anniversary episode reprising his role as Rocky DeSantos. He also reprised the role in the Netflix special, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always , which celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Power Rangers franchise. [15]

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
1995 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie Rocky DeSantos / The Red Ranger
1997 Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie Rocky DeSantos
2017The OrderDax
Beast of the WaterEvans
2023 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always Rocky DeSantos / The second Red Ranger30th Anniversary Special
Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1994–1996
2023
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Rocky DeSantos / The Red Ranger / Rocko64 Episodes
30th anniversary special
1994Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Alpha's Magical ChristmasRocky DeSantosVideo short
1996 Power Rangers Zeo Rocky DeSantos / Blue Zeo Ranger / Prince Henry50 Episodes
1997 Power Rangers Turbo Rocky DeSantos3 Episodes
1999Power Rangers: The Lost EpisodeSpecial episode (archival footage)
2018 Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel Rocky DeSantos / The Red RangerEpisode: “Dimensions in Danger”

Related Research Articles

<i>Mighty Morphin Power Rangers</i> American live action childrens television series

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (MMPR) is an American superhero television series that premiered on August 28, 1993, on the Fox Kids programming block. It is the first entry of the Power Rangers franchise, and became a 1990s pop culture phenomenon along with a large line of toys, action figures, and other merchandise. The show adapted stock footage from the Japanese TV series Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger (1992–1993), which was the 16th installment of Toei's Super Sentai franchise. The second and third seasons of the show drew elements and stock footage from Gosei Sentai Dairanger and Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, respectively, though the Zyuranger costumes were still used for the lead cast in these two seasons. Only the mecha and the Kiba Ranger costume from Dairanger were featured in the second season while only the Kakuranger mecha was featured in the third season, though the Kakuranger costumes were later used for the mini-series Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers. The series was produced by MMPR Productions and distributed by Saban Entertainment, while the show's merchandise was produced and distributed by Bandai Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazilian jiu-jitsu</span> Martial art

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds. BJJ focuses on taking ones opponent down to the ground, gaining a dominant position, and using a number of techniques to force them into submission via joint locks or chokeholds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason David Frank</span> American actor (1973–2022)

Jason David Frank was an American actor and mixed martial artist best known for his role as Tommy Oliver in the Power Rangers television franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Oliver</span> Fictional character from the Power Rangers franchise

Dr. Thomas "Tommy" Oliver is a fictional character and the overarching main protagonist of the American live-action television franchise Power Rangers. He is best known as being the original Green Ranger and the first evil Ranger who fought and nearly defeated the original Power Rangers while under the control of Rita Repulsa. He was eventually freed from Rita’s spell and aligned himself with the other Power Rangers. He is a main character in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series, as well as four of its successive incarnations Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo, Power Rangers Turbo, and Power Rangers Dino Thunder. He also appeared in the Power Rangers Wild Force episode "Forever Red", the Power Rangers S.P.D. episode "Wormhole", the Power Rangers Super Megaforce episode "Legendary Battle", and in the Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel episode "Dimensions in Danger". He was portrayed by actor Jason David Frank in all of his appearances from the Zordon era until Saban Brands era's seasons of the franchise prior to his death in November 2022, with the exception of the episode "Wormhole", where he appeared only in Ranger form and was voiced by actor Jeffrey Parazzo. He was also infrequently portrayed by actor Michael Gotto in instances where the story required the character during childhood, such as in the series Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers.

<i>Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers</i> Television series

Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers is a Power Rangers mini-series set immediately after the end of the third season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. As with the third season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, this mini-series adapted footage and costumes from the eighteenth Super Sentai series, Ninja Sentai Kakuranger.

<i>Power Rangers Zeo</i> American television series from 1996

Power Rangers Zeo is a television series and the fourth season of the Power Rangers franchise, based on the 19th Super Sentai series Chouriki Sentai Ohranger. It is the continuation of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, which aired in 1996.

<i>Power Rangers Turbo</i> Television series

Power Rangers Turbo is a television series and the fifth season of the Power Rangers franchise. The show was prefaced with the franchise's second film, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Yost</span> American actor (born 1969)

David Harold Yost is an American actor and producer. He is best known for portraying Billy Cranston in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always and Power Rangers Cosmic Fury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kimberly Hart</span> Fictional character in Power Rangers

Kimberly Ann Hart is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe. Played by American actress Amy Jo Johnson during the first three seasons of the show, plus on the two feature films of the franchise, Kimberly has the longest tenure of any female ranger in the series' history, and fourth overall. She is best remembered as the first Pink Ranger (pterodactyl) and first Pink Ninja Ranger from the first entry of the franchise Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Kimberly was the Pink Ranger for nearly three years before she was written off the show as having given up her powers for good to Zordon's new pink ranger Katherine Hillard, to participate at the Pan Global Games in Florida. However, she would briefly return as the Pink Ranger on three occasions. She first returned during the Legendary Battle of Power Rangers Super Megaforce alongside former teammates Zack Taylor, Billy Cranston, Trini Kwan, and Jason Lee Scott. The five of them later fought alongside the Dino Thunder Rangers, Dino Charge Rangers, and the Grid Battleforce Rangers against Goldar Maximus in Power Rangers Beast Morphers. She also returned to fight a robotic version of Rita Repulsa with the other four original rangers and Tommy Oliver in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always. Johnson did not reprise her role for any of these appearances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin St. John</span> American actor

Jason Lawrence Geiger professionally known as Austin St. John, is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Jason Lee Scott in the Power Rangers franchise.

Jason Lee Scott is a fictional character in the Power Rangers franchise, played by actor Austin St. John. Jason is known as the first on screen Red Ranger from the first on screen series, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, as well as the leader of the first on screen team of Power Rangers. He later becomes the temporary Gold Ranger in Power Rangers Zeo. He once again becomes the Red Ranger by Power Rangers: Beast Morphers, alongside his original team. A reimagined version of Jason appears in the 2017 reboot film, played by Australian actor Dacre Montgomery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Cranston</span> Fictional character in Power Rangers

Billy Cranston is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe. He is the Blue Ranger (triceratops) in the series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and was portrayed by actor David Yost. Billy is the only original Power Ranger to remain for the entire MMPR series, and is the second longest-serving Ranger overall behind Tommy Oliver. Until his departure, he is considered the brains of the Power Rangers team, creating many gadgets with which to solve problems that not even Zordon foresees, and he even invents the first team's wrist-worn communication devices. A reimagined version of Billy appears in 2017 reboot film, played by actor RJ Cyler.

<i>Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie</i> 1997 film directed by Shuki Levy and David Winning

Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie is a 1997 American superhero film directed by David Winning and Shuki Levy and written by Levy and Shell Danielson. It is the second installment in Power Rangers film series after Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie and was produced by Saban Entertainment and Toei Company, Ltd., and was distributed by 20th Century Fox. The film stars Johnny Yong Bosch, Nakia Burrise, Steve Cardenas, Jason David Frank, Austin St. John, Catherine Sutherland, Jason Narvy, Paul Schrier, Hilary Shepard Turner, Amy Jo Johnson, and Blake Foster.

Carlos Machado is a former world master's champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is the eldest of the five Machado Brothers, known for BJJ, that also includes Roger, Rigan, Jean Jacques and John. He is also the brother-in-law of UFC fighter Stephen Thompson. He currently runs BJJ schools across the United States, Australia, Canada and Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marco Ruas</span> Brazilian mixed martial artist

Marco Antônio de Lima Ruas is a Brazilian former mixed martial arts fighter, submission wrestler, kickboxer and instructor. Ruas was the UFC 7 Tournament Champion, and also competed for the World Vale Tudo Championship (WVC), PRIDE Fighting Championships and the International Fight League, where he head-coached the Southern California Condors.

Brazilian Top Team (BTT) is an academy and team specialized in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts. It was established in April 2000 by Murilo Bustamante, Ricardo Libório, Mário Sperry and Luis Roberto Duarte, former members of the Carlson Gracie Academy, to develop and create new training techniques for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, submission grappling and mixed martial arts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enson Inoue</span> Japanese-American mixed martial artist

Enson Shoji Inoue is a Japanese-American jiu-jitsu practitioner and retired professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 1995 until 2010, he fought for the PRIDE Fighting Championships, the UFC, Shooto, and Vale Tudo Japan. He was the first and only Shooto Heavyweight Champion, and was a finalist in the Lightweight category at UFC 13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis Lutter</span> American mixed martial arts fighter

Travis Lutter is a retired American mixed martial artist who won The Ultimate Fighter 4 reality show. He is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlos Machado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricardo Libório</span> Brazilian martial artist (born 1967)

Antonio Ricardo Jardim Libório is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Grand Master Carlson Gracie. He is the co-founder of American Top Team (ATT) and Brazilian Top Team (BTT), the founder and CEO of Martial Arts Nation and the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Institute (IBJJI), and also a professor of BJJ at the University of Central Florida.

References

  1. Michael Mammano (2013-12-05). "Interview With Power Rangers' Steve Cardenas | Den of Geek". Denofgeek.us. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  2. "Official Steve Cardenas Interview!". RangerBoard.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  3. Steven Vanderpool (2011-08-02). "Forever Red: Steve Cardenas Talks 'Power Rangers' and Force/Balance Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Yoga!". Iconvsicon.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  4. "Interview With Power Rangers' Steve Cardenas – Dec 5, 2013". Dennis Publishing . Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  5. Archived July 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. 1 2 [ dead link ]
  7. The Order film 2017 on imdb.com
  8. The Order film 2017 on henshinjustice.com Archived 2016-10-22 at the Wayback Machine
  9. The Order on ecartelera.com
  10. The Order on houston imports.com
  11. The Order film 2017 on nerdbastards.com
  12. The Order movie science fiction.com
  13. "The Order on aceofgeeks.net". Archived from the original on 2016-10-22. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
  14. The Order on plugou.com
  15. Gomez, Patrick (17 January 2023). "Original 'Power Rangers' stars reunite for 30th anniversary Netflix special". EW.com. Retrieved 13 March 2023.