Phillip Andrew, one of the stars of the hit Power Rangers franchise, has been rushed to hospital after suffering a brain injury.
Andrew played Merrick Baliton, also known as Lunar Wolf Ranger, in the 2002 series Power Rangers Wild Force.
He underwent emergency surgery after being brought to hospital, and is now said to be “showing encouraging signs of improvement”.
The actor’s agent Christian Ingram, had previously announced on Andrew’s Intagram page that a “medical emergency” had resulted in the cancellation of forthcoming public appearances.
“Phillip suffered a serious brain injury that required emergency surgery,” he wrote, in a statement shared on Tuesday (27 October). “We are grateful to share that Phillip is now awake and showing encouraging signs of improvement.
“While this is a positive step forward, Phillip still has a long road ahead of him. We ask that fans, friends, and colleagues continue to keep him and his loved ones in their thoughts and prayers as he navigates this difficult time.”
He also asked that fans respect the privacy of Andrew’s family “as they focus on his health and recovery”.
“On behalf of Phillip and his family,” Ingram added, “we sincerely appreciate the overwhelming love, support, and prayers during this incredibly challenging time.”
Andrew appeared in 28 episodes of Power Rangers Wild Force, and remained a presence on the convention circuit to this day.
His other credits include the TV series What I Like About You and the 2004 film The Hazing, starring Chucky’s Brad Dourif.
Other stars of Power Rangers sent messages of support on social media following news of Andrew’s surgery.
Sasha Craig, known for playing Kelsey Winslow on Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, wrote that she hoped the actor “heals up fast”.
”Praise the Lord. Praying daily for you, brother,” wrote Jessica Rey, who played Alyssa Enrile in Wild Force, in response to news of Andrew’s improvement.
Power Rangers, a children’s action franchise about a team of superheroes, began in 1993 with the series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
A total of 24 different Power Rangers TV shows have been released – with Wild Force among them – and the franchise has also spawned a number of feature films, video games, and other media adaptations.
