Charismatic Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson: top 5 facts from the life of a wrestling king and a Hollywood star

Dwayne Douglas Johnson, commonly known by his pseudonym The Rock, has left an indelible mark on the world of wrestling, acting, and the entertainment industry in general. Here are five interesting facts about the man behind this iconic name.

A stunning debut

Dwayne Johnson's ascent into the Hollywood family began with his starring role in The Mummy Returns in 2001. However, it was his starring role in the prequel film The Scorpion King that made him a real box office actor, for which he received an impressive fee of over $5 million.

Going to the ring

Before Johnson became The Rock, his journey included conquering not only the wrestling ring but also the football field. During his college years, he was an integral part of the Miami Hurricanes football team, which won the 1991 national championship. After graduating in 1995, he initially continued his career as a football player, receiving a scholarship to the University of Miami and playing alongside future NFL legends. However, a back injury changed his path, eventually leading him to the world of wrestling.

Wrestling in the blood

Dwayne Johnson's family tree is closely intertwined with professional wrestling. Both his father, Rocky Johnson, and his grandfather, Peter Maivia, left their mark on the wrestling scene, paving the way for Johnson's future stellar career. Notably, he became the first third-generation wrestler in WWE history. This family connection not only shaped his sports career but also added to the originality of his personality.

A multifaceted heritage

Johnson was born in the United States. His unusual skin color and charismatic personality are explained by the fact that The Rock's father was a black Canadian and his mother was a Polynesian from the Pacific islands of Samoa.

Evolution of the iconic name

The pseudonym The Rock has become synonymous with Dwayne Johnson's personality, but it did not appear immediately. Initially, Johnson went by ring names such as Flex Kavana and Rocky Maivia during his early wrestling career. It wasn't until he went over to The Rock that he found his true identity in the wrestling world. Since then, he has chosen to become an actor, shedding his wrestling image but retaining the rights to his iconic pseudonym.