Ted Jan Roberts | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ted Jan Roberts September 24, 1979 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | June 6, 2022 (aged 42) |
| Other name | T. J. Roberts |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1990–2022 |
Ted Jan Roberts (September 24, 1979 – June 6, 2022) was an American actor, martial artist, stuntman, and producer.[better source needed] He was best known as the title character of the television series Masked Rider, an American adaptation of the Japanese tokusatsu television series Kamen Rider Black RX.
Born Thedore Gilroy, the name Ted Jan Roberts was a stage name created by his father Richard Gilroy Ortega and martial arts stunt coordinator Pat Johnson. It later became his legal name. Roberts played the lead roles in martial arts films such as Magic Kid (with Don "The Dragon" Wilson playing himself) and its sequel Magic Kid II, in Tiger Heart, A Dangerous Place, and The Power Within. He also appeared in adventure/drama film Hollywood Safari and the live-action TV series Masked Rider after appearing as the titular character in the three-part third season premiere of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. He played LGBT activist Dennis Peron in Milk (2008).
In June 2025, a Redditor discovered a Facebook post made in 2024 by Roberts' father, Richard G. Ortega, mourning Roberts' death on June 6, 2022.[better source needed] [better source needed] At the time of the Reddit post, Roberts was erroneously listed as a stunt performer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on IMDb, casting doubts to the news. A month later, fellow Masked Rider cast member, Libby Letlow, confirmed Roberts' death.[better source needed] Ortega refused to disclose the cause of death.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Magic Kid | Kevin Ryan | |
| 1994 | Magic Kid 2 | ||
| 1994 | A Dangerous Place | Ethan | |
| 1995 | The Power Within | Stan Dryer | |
| 1996 | Tiger Heart | Eric | |
| 1997 | Hollywood Safari | Josh Johnson | |
| 2005 | In the Blink of an Eye | Steven Chavez | |
| 2008 | Milk | Dennis Peron |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Married... with Children | Brian | Episode: "Every Bundy Has a Birthday" |
| 1993 | Evening Shade | Matt | Episode: "The Dance" |
| 1995 | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers | Prince Dex / Masked Rider | Episode: "A Friend in Need" |
| 1995–1996 | Masked Rider | Main role | |
| 1999 | Hollywood Safari | Josh Johnson | 19 episodes |