Dwayne Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dwayne Johnson
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Johnson in 2024
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Dwayne Douglas Johnson
May 2, 1972 Hayward, California, U.S.
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| Education | University of Miami (BGS) |
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Works
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Filmography |
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| Children | 3, including Simone |
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| Relatives | Anoaʻi family |
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Professional wrestling career
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| Billed height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) |
| Billed weight | 260 lb (118 kg) |
| Billed from | Miami, Florida |
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| Debut | March 10, 1996 |
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Dwayne Douglas Johnson (born May 2, 1972), also known by his famous ring name the Rock, is an American actor and professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE on a part-time basis. Many people consider him one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. He was a huge star in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) during the popular Attitude Era.
After wrestling full-time for eight years, Johnson became a movie star. His films have earned more than $14.9 billion around the world. This makes him one of the highest-paid and most successful actors. He is also a co-owner of the United Football League (UFL) and a co-founder of Seven Bucks Productions.
Contents
Early Life and School
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Dwayne Johnson was born in Hayward, California. His father, Rocky Johnson, was a famous professional wrestler. His mother, Ata Johnson, is the daughter of another wrestler, Peter Maivia. This means Johnson comes from a family of wrestlers. His grandmother, Lia Maivia, was one of the first female wrestling promoters. Through his mother's side, he is related to the famous Anoaʻi wrestling family.
Johnson moved around a lot as a child. He lived for a short time in New Zealand with his mother's family, where he played rugby. He attended several different schools in the United States.
At Freedom High School in Pennsylvania, Johnson struggled at first and got into some trouble. However, his football coach saw his athletic talent and asked him to join the school's football team. Playing sports helped Johnson focus on his goals. He also joined the school's track and field and wrestling teams.
His skill in football earned him a full scholarship to the University of Miami.
Football Career
Johnson played defensive tackle for the University of Miami football team. He was a member of the Miami Hurricanes' 1991 national championship team. He played in 39 games during his college career.
He graduated in 1995 with a degree in criminology and physiology. After college, he signed with the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League. He was cut from the team after two months, which ended his professional football career.
Professional Wrestling Career
After his football career ended, Johnson decided to become a professional wrestler like his father and grandfather.
Becoming "The Rock"
Johnson made his WWF debut in 1996 as Rocky Maivia. This name combined his father's and grandfather's names. At first, he was a "face," which means he was a good guy. He even won the Intercontinental Championship. However, many fans started to boo him.
In 1997, Johnson changed his character. He became a "heel," or a villain. He joined a group called the Nation of Domination. He started calling himself "The Rock" and would make fun of the audience and other wrestlers. This new personality made him very popular with fans, even as a villain.
A WWE Superstar
The Rock's popularity grew very quickly. He became known for his funny interviews and catchphrases, like "Can you smell what the Rock is cookin'?" and "Lay the smackdown!" He had famous rivalries with other top stars like Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H.
In 1998, he won his first WWF Championship at Survivor Series. He would go on to win the championship a total of eight times. He also formed a popular tag team with Mick Foley called the Rock 'n' Sock Connection. They won the tag team titles three times and had many funny moments on TV.
The Rock's match against Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania X8 in 2002 is considered one of the most iconic matches in wrestling history.
Hollywood and Part-Time Returns
In the early 2000s, The Rock started to focus more on his acting career. He left WWE as a full-time wrestler in 2004 but has returned many times over the years.
In 2011, he returned to host WrestleMania XXVII and started a feud with John Cena. They had main event matches at WrestleMania XXVIII and WrestleMania 29.
In 2024, he returned with a new villainous character called "The Final Boss." He joined his cousin Roman Reigns and his group, The Bloodline. At WrestleMania XL, he teamed with Reigns to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth "Freakin" Rollins. He has since taken a break from WWE but has said he will return.
Acting Career
Johnson's success in wrestling helped him become a Hollywood star. He is now one of the most famous and highest-paid actors in the world.
Early Film Roles
His first big movie role was as the Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns (2001). The role was so popular that he starred in his own movie, The Scorpion King (2002). In his early career, he starred in action films like The Rundown (2003) and family comedies like The Game Plan (2007).
Major Blockbuster Hits
In 2011, Johnson joined the Fast & Furious movie series as the character Luke Hobbs in Fast Five. This role made him an even bigger star. He has appeared in several more films in the series.
He is also known for starring in the Jumanji movies. He played Dr. Smolder Bravestone in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019). These films were huge hits with audiences of all ages.
One of his most beloved roles is the voice of the demigod Maui in the Disney animated film Moana (2016). He sang the popular song "You're Welcome" in the movie. He returned to voice the character in Moana 2 (2024).
Recent Films
Johnson has also starred in superhero movies. He played the main character in the DC film Black Adam (2022). In 2024, he starred in the Christmas action-comedy Red One. In 2025, he starred in the sports drama The Smashing Machine, where he played MMA fighter Mark Kerr.
Business and Other Work
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Besides acting and wrestling, Johnson is a successful businessman.
- In 2012, he started his own production company, Seven Bucks Productions, with his business partner Dany Garcia. The company helps produce many of his movies and TV shows.
- In 2020, he launched a brand of tequila called Teremana Tequila, which has become very popular.
- He is a co-owner of the United Football League (UFL), a professional American football league.
- In 2024, he joined the board of directors for TKO Group Holdings, the company that owns WWE and UFC.
Personal Life
Johnson was married to Dany Garcia from 1997 to 2008. They have a daughter named Simone, who is also a professional wrestler in WWE under the name Ava. This makes her the first fourth-generation wrestler in WWE history.
In 2019, Johnson married Lauren Hashian. They have two daughters, Jasmine and Tiana.
In 2004, during a visit to Samoa, he was given the noble title of Seiuli in recognition of his Samoan heritage and service to the Samoan people. He also became a Canadian citizen in 2009 through his father.
Johnson is also known for his charity work. In 2006, he founded the Dwayne Johnson Rock Foundation, a charity that helps children who are at risk or have serious illnesses.
Images for kids
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As part of The Corporation, The Rock feuded with Stone Cold Steve Austin.
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The Rock's charisma and speaking skills made him very popular with fans.
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The Rock as the WWF Champion in 2000.
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The Rock taunting Rob Van Dam at ringside in October 2001.
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The Rock in his signature pose before his match with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania X8 in 2002.
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The Rock defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin in Austin's final match at WrestleMania XIX in March 2003.
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The Rock (right) with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania XXX in April 2014.
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The Wyatt Family confronting The Rock at WrestleMania 32 in April 2016.
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The Rock and Roman Reigns face to face with Cody Rhodes and Seth "Freakin" Rollins at WrestleMania XL.
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The Rock with "the People's Championship" at the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
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The Rock in a 2001 Vanity Fair photo shoot.
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Johnson presenting the 2023 XFL Championship trophy.
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The Rock in Nashville during his eighth WWE Championship reign in February 2013.
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The Rock in Manchester, England, during one of his two Intercontinental Championship reigns in April 1998.
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Championships and accomplishments
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Match of the Year (1999) vs. Mankind in an "I Quit" match at Royal Rumble
- Match of the Year (2002) vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania X8
- Most Popular Wrestler of the Year (1999, 2000)
- Wrestler of the Year (2000)
- Ranked No. 2 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2000
- United States Wrestling Association
- USWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Bart Sawyer
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Best Box Office Draw (2000, 2011, 2012)
- Best Gimmick (1999)
- Best on Interviews (1999, 2000)
- Most Charismatic (1999–2002, 2011, 2012, 2024)
- Most Improved (1998)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2007)
- WWE/World Wrestling Entertainment/Federation
- WWE Championship (8 times)
- WCW Championship (2 times)
- WWF Intercontinental Championship (2 times)
- WWF Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with Mankind (3), The Undertaker (1), and Chris Jericho (1)
- Royal Rumble (2000)
- Sixth Triple Crown Champion
- Slammy Award (10 times)
See also
In Spanish: Dwayne Johnson para niños
