Walter Jones: The Man Behind The Black Power Ranger (Interview w/ Cenk Uygur)

Winning a leading role on the wildly successful Mighty Morphin Power Rangers show more than 20 years ago dramatically altered the trajectory of actor Walter Jones’ career.In this wide-ranging interview with The Young Turks’ Cenk Uygur,...

The Conversation

December 4, 201541m 16s

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Show Notes

Winning a leading role on the wildly successful Mighty Morphin Power Rangers show more than 20 years ago dramatically altered the trajectory of actor Walter Jones’ career.

In this wide-ranging interview with The Young Turks’ Cenk Uygur, Jones talks about:

- His struggles growing up the child of a single mom in Detroit, including one incident at age four when he shot the middle finger off of his left hand.

- Donning costumes to work the theme park and cruise ship circuits while pursuing his big break.

- The challenges faced by black actors in Hollywood, and whether racism was involved in casting him as the “black” Power Ranger.

- Barely escaping being kidnapped while working on a horror film in Romania.

- Whether playing the black Power Ranger helped him score with the ladies.

- How even 20 years after leaving the show, he’s still highly sought after for autographs at Comic Cons across the globe.