If you close your eyes and think of the '90s, you probably see a flash of pink spandex and a very specific, high-flying Pterodactyl kick. Amy Jo Johnson was the crush of a generation. As Kimberly Hart on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, she was the girl-next-door who could also punch out a Putty Patroller. But if you’re looking for Amy Jo Johnson now, you won't find her in front of a camera—at least, not if she can help it.
She's done with the "teenager with an attitude" trope. Honestly, she’s pretty much done with acting altogether.
It’s a weird transition to wrap your head around. Most actors spend their lives clawing for a series regular role, but Johnson basically reached the summit and decided the view was better from the director’s chair. While fans were begging for her to return for the Netflix 30th-anniversary special, Once & Always, she was notably absent. People assumed it was about money. It wasn't just that. It was about a woman who spent thirty years being told where to stand and finally decided she wanted to be the one calling the shots.
The Shift From Pink Spandex to the Director’s Chair
Living in Toronto since roughly 2005, Johnson has essentially reinvented herself as a Canadian indie filmmaker. It’s a move that makes sense when you hear her talk about her time in Los Angeles. She’s been open about the fact that she "liked" acting but never truly loved it. It was a job. A high-profile, exhausting job that came with a side of fame she found more than a little bit scary.
By the time she hit her late 40s, she was tired of the vanity of it all. She’s 55 now, and she’s gone on record saying she hated the pressure of photo shoots and the constant scrutiny of aging in Hollywood. Instead of fighting the clock, she moved behind the lens.
She didn't just dabble, either. She went through the prestigious Canadian Film Centre’s director’s program. Her feature debut, The Space Between, was a quirky, crowd-funded dramedy that proved she had a voice. But it was 2019’s Tammy’s Always Dying that really turned heads. Directing Felicity Huffman in a gritty story about alcoholism and terminal illness is a far cry from fighting Rita Repulsa. It showed a level of maturity and "darkness" that Kimberly Hart fans might not have expected.
Why She Skipped the Power Rangers Reunion
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the 2023 Netflix reunion. When the trailer dropped and Johnson wasn't in it, the internet went into a tailspin. Speculation ran wild that she was holding out for more cash.
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She eventually cleared the air on Twitter (now X), basically saying she wasn't going to spend her time on a project that didn't feel right just for the sake of nostalgia. There were "personal reasons." She had a teenage daughter to raise. She was busy with her own scripts. But mostly, she had moved on.
Interestingly, she hasn't abandoned the franchise entirely. She just wants to engage with it on her own terms. That’s why she co-wrote the comic book series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return for Boom! Studios. It was her "love letter" to the fans—a "what if" story that explored what would have happened if the original team never split up. It was a hit. It allowed her to be a storyteller without having to put on a suit or deal with a grueling filming schedule.
What Amy Jo Johnson is Doing in 2026
- Directing TV: She’s been paying her dues in the television world, most notably directing an episode of Superman & Lois. It’s a smart move—using her "superhero" pedigree to gain leverage in the industry.
- New Music: She’s still a singer-songwriter at heart. Her 2024 EP, Still Here, is a moody, folk-tinged collection that feels very much like a woman reflecting on her second act. She even performed some of these tracks at LA Comic Con recently.
- Screenwriting: Currently, she’s shopping around new screenplays. She’s mentioned working on a project called Ends of the Earth and a sexual thriller titled What We Become, which actually made the "Black List" of best unproduced scripts.
- The Convention Circuit: She still does the occasional Comic-Con, but she’s transparent about why: it funds her filmmaking. It’s a symbiotic relationship. Fans get to meet their hero, and she gets the capital to make movies that actually mean something to her.
The "Reluctant" Star
There’s something incredibly grounded about her. She doesn't have that "LA polish" anymore. When she speaks at panels now, she’s blunt. She laughs about how "cheesy" the original show was. She talks about the ropes you could see on the stunt doubles. She isn't precious about her legacy, and that’s probably why people still love her.
She’s also a dual citizen now, fully integrated into the Canadian film scene. She lives in Toronto with her daughter, Francesca, and her partner, Matt Hotson (who co-wrote the comic with her). It’s a quiet life compared to the Felicity and Flashpoint days.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’ve been following Amy Jo Johnson’s journey, there are a few things you can do to support her "new" career rather than just re-watching old episodes of MMPR.
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- Read the Comics: If you want to see her vision for the Rangers, pick up Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return. It’s much more sophisticated than the 90s show.
- Stream Her Films: Look for Tammy’s Always Dying on VOD platforms. It’s a tough watch but shows her range as a director.
- Listen to "Still Here": Her music is available on Spotify and Apple Music. It’s great "driving in the rain" music.
- Follow the Filmmaker, Not Just the Ranger: If you’re on social media, look for her updates on her production company, Space & Bacon. That’s where the real news happens.
Amy Jo Johnson is a rare example of a child-adjacent star who didn't crash and burn. She just grew up. She realized that being an icon is a cage if you let it be, so she picked the lock and walked out into the director's booth. Honestly? She’s never looked happier.
Instead of looking for her in a reboot, look for her name in the credits. That’s where the real work is happening. If you're a filmmaker yourself, her path is a masterclass in using your "brand" to pivot into the creative control you actually want. Don't be afraid to walk away from the thing that made you famous if it's no longer the thing that makes you whole.