Dwayne Johnson, famously known as The Rock, is an American actor and professional wrestler born on May 2, 1972, in Hayward, California, U.S.A.
Key Facts about Dwayne Johnson
He’s popularly known by his ring name, “The Rock” (Rocky Johnson)
The former WWE wrestler was the highest-paid actor in the world in 2016 thanks to his great character in Red Notice and Black Adam films
Dwayne also earns from small-screen programs, including N.B.C.’s competition show, The Titan Games, and the new series Young Rock.
The Rock Johnson spends tons of time in the gym
He runs the Under Amor Line project that deals with clothing, headphones, and shoes
Who is Dwayne Johnson?
Johnson’s wrestling career is from his bloodline, a professional wrestling family. His maternal grandfather Peter Maivia appeared as a professional wrestler in the 1960s and 1970s. His father, Soulman Rocky Johnson, worked and boxed in the American regional wrestling circuit.
Dwayne Johnson was a high-school athlete who played in NCAA Championship football in 1991 at the University of Miami. But, his career in the Canadian Football League was cut short after sustaining injuries, so he turned to wrestling as “The Rock.”
Johnson famously contested with Steve Austin in a main event match and won the Heavyweight championship. Since then, The Rock Johnson has won various Heavyweight titles in WWE history.
He later moved his wrestling fame to a film career and landed a leading role in the 2001 movie, The Mummy Returns. He’s also cast in 2010’s Tooth Fairy and leading roles in the HBO series, Ballers and The Fast and the Furious.
Early Life and Career
Dwayne Johnson was born in Hayward, California, on May 2, 1972. He’s the grandson of wrestler “High Chief” Peter Maivia and the son of professional wrestler Rocky Maivia Johnson.
What is Dwayne Johnson’s Ethnicity? Johnson’s parents are of different ethnicities. His father Rocky Maivia is from Amherst, Nova Scotia, in Canada, and was of Black Nova Scotian with part of Irish ancestry. His mother is Samoan. So, Dwayne Johnson’s ethnicity is multiracial. He shares American, African, Samoan, Nova, Irish, and Scotian ancestries.
Dwayne grew up watching his father wrestle and had no plans to follow in his footsteps. He played football, earning a full scholarship from the University of Miami. But his career was slowed down due to a back injury in 1995.
Johnson signed a 3-year deal with Canadian League as a professional footballer, but after one year, he left to pursue a career in wrestling.
Becoming “The Rock”
The former professional footballer wrestling career took off in Texas against Brooklyn Brawler in the USWA and signed as Flex Kavanah. He later won numerous matches including a tag team championship with Bart Sawyer.
Dwayne joined WWE in 1996 under the name Rocky Maivia, and a year later, he joined The Nation of Domination. He eventually took over its leadership and called himself The Rock. After The Nation of Domination divided, The Rock joined “Corporation,” another elite group of wrestlers. Johnson began a clash with Steve Austin.
He was later kicked out of the elite group “Corporation” and became “The Peoples Champion.” The Rock took off his time from WWE in 2000 to film The Mummy Returns in 2001. The actor then returned to wrestling in 2001 during the invasion of WCW/ECW.
He joined WWE wrestlers in 2002 after The Scorpion King, a prequel to the 2001 movie, The Mummy Returns. Here is detailed information about his acting career and the films and series he has featured.
Movies and T.V. Appearances
Outside the wrestling ring, The Rock has heard a successful acting career and dropped his popular ring name to Dwayne Johnson in the industry. From our findings, his first debut in the filming industry was on an episode of That ’70s Show on Fox from 1998 to 2006, playing the role of his own father. He then made a theatrical acting debut starring as The Scorpion King alongside Brendan Fraser in The Mummy Returns.
Scorpion King’
After his role as the scorpion king, Johnson appeared in The Scorpion King movie in 2002 as a supernatural bad guy. Since then, he tried his luck with action comedy which became fruitful. Rock appeared in the 2005 movie Be Cool with Uma Thurman and John Travolta. He’s also featured in the 2007’s movie, The Game Plan.
Driver and Fast & Furious Franchise
Dwayne The Rock Johnson has heard a successful acting career since his appearance in television films. He was featured in the 2010 movie Driver and in the T.V. series Fast & Furious 6 in 2013.
In 2014, The Rock starred in Hercules as a titular strong man. Mind you, The Rock returned to WWE from time to time, including WrestleMania XXVIII in 2012 and appearance with Stone Cold Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 30 in 2014.
Ballers
The American actor dominated the big screen with his appearance in two hit action films. In 2015, Dwayne starred in Furious Seven and San Andreas. The same year, the professional wrestler premiered the first dramatic comedy series starring Spencer Strasmore on HBO’s Ballers as a retired professional footballer turned financial planner.
Baywatch, Central Intelligence, Moana, and Jumanji Movies
Dwayne Johnson also featured in some of the hit movies in 2016. He teamed up with Kevin Hart for Central Intelligence, an action comedy movie. He also voiced for Disney’s animated hit Moana as the demigod Maui. In 2017, he starred in The Fate of the Furious, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle alongside Hart again, and Baywatch.
Skycraper, Rampage, and Hobbs & Shaw Movies
His star in Hollywood continued to shine in 2018, and the increased ticket sales of Jumanji became his highest-gross film. He next starred in the action movie Skycraper and Rampage, a video game based on arcade in 2018.
Next, Johnson starred in Jungle Cruise, a Disney theme park ride-inspired movie alongside Emily Blunt in 2020. In 2014, he was cast in D.C. Comics, Black Adam, but the film lingered in development.
During the premiers of Skycraper, Johnson announced he would host ten episodes of The Titan Games, an unscripted competition show for everyday people to do something extraordinary and change their lives.
The Rock then empressed his wrestling roots after taking the leading role in Fighting with My Family in 2019, based on the true life story of wrestling character Saraya “Paige” Bevis.
It was in the same year that he returned to action movies. Johnson’s character of Luke Hobbs combined with Jason Statham’s in the Fast & Furious spin off Hobbs & Shaw film in 2019.
Young Rock
Finally, in 2021, Johnson premiered Young Rock, a T.V. series about his life. The show features Dwayne Johnson alongside other actors starring the younger version of Johnson.
How much did The Rock make from movies?
Dwayne pocketed $5.5 million for featuring in the 2001 movie The Scorpion King, which became a huge hit earning $165 million. The Rock’s paycheck after The Scorpion King Success was the largest payment ever given to a first-time actor playing a leading role.
He was paid $12.5 million for his role in The Rundown and $15 million for The Walking Tall, a movie aired in 2004. It didn’t stop at that point. The more years went by, the higher his earnings became.
Dwayne was paid an upfront salary of $20 million with Skycraper. In 2013 and 2015, Johnson earned $43 million and $ 65 million, respectively from his movies. That includes a massive $22.5 million from his appearance in Black Adam.
Between June 2017-June and 2018, he earned $125 million, making him the highest-paid actor. For his role in Hobbs & Shaw in 2019, Johnson was paid $20 million.
How much does Dwayne Johnson make on Instagram?
According to Afrotech reports, Dwayne The Rock Johnson makes at least $1.7 million per sponsored post. That’s a huge amount but worth the price, thanks to his 364 million Instagram followers. Also, he demands around $4 million to promote movies he’s featured in, on top of the backend points and salary.
Personal Life: Johnson’s Wife and Children
The professional wrestler is a married man and has been in two marriages. His first marriage was with Dany Garcia, his high school sweetheart. The duo got married in 1997 and later divorced in 2008. In 2001, they were blessed with their first child and daughter, Simone Alexandra Johnson.
On August 18, 2019, Dwayne wedded his longtime girlfriend, Lauren Hashian, a singer and music producer. The couple met back in 2006. The duo shares two daughters Jasmine Lia, born in December 2015, and Tiana Gia, born in April 2018.
Dwayne Rock Johnson and his family reside in Beverly Hills, California, U.S. Their second home is in Southwest Ranches, Florida, and they also have a firm in Virginia.
The Rock as a Business Mogul
Apart from The Rock’s exquisite acting skills and wrestling, he’s managing/running various businesses.
Seven Bucks Production
Johnson and his ex-wife Dany Garcia launched Seven Bucks Productions. Whenever The Rock Johnson appears in a movie, its team gets involved in the decision made, from script screening to film marketing.
Also, Seven Bucks Productions manages Johnson’s social media platforms, especially YouTube and Instagram. The company also produced Shazam, a comedy movie, in 2019 and is organizing several film projects featuring some of WWE’s superstars like John Cena.
Seven Bucks Production was also credited for Johnson’s movies, such as Rampage, Baywatch, Jumanji, and Skycraper. Why the name Seven Bucks Production? The company’s name references The Rock’s past life when he left the Canadian Football Team and moved back to Florida with only seven backs.
Today the products developed by Seven Bucks doesn’t involve Johnson. But, The Rock has received endorsements from popular brands such as Under Armour, Apple, and Ford. His deal with Under Armour includes headphones and a clothing line set
Teremana Tequila
Teremana Tequila is one of Rock Johnson’s businesses launched in March 2020, but there is no clear information on how much the former WWE star owns. Theoretically, Dwayne Johnson owns 30% of his brand. Johnson partnered with a group of partners to launch Teremana Tequila in March 2020. It had a successful take-off as it sold 300,000 cases in the first 12 months since its launch.
Johnson has three partners in this business, including his former wife, Dany Garcia. They then partnered with the Lopez Family of Jalisco, popularly known for making tequila.
ZOA Energy
In 2021, Johnson’s dream of owning an energy drink line came true as he launched the ZOA drink. This is what he had to say;
“Amazing reception for our official @ZOAenergy🍃 announcement 🙏🏾From retail to consumers, everyone is ready for the first of its kind – clean & healthy energy drink made with immunity boosting superfoods and vitamins. Available this March. #ZOA🍃 https://t.co/EzSBxII4Ge”— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock)January 12, 2021
The founder and CEO of Seven Bucks Production Company, Dwayne Johnson, partnered with his ex-wife Dany Garcia, John Shulman, and Dave Rienzi to launch the brand. Molson Coors Beverage is a famous beer company, but it needed to expand beyond recognition.
So, the company teamed up with Johnson and his partners to release the ZOA energy drink. According to CNBC, The Rock Johnson constantly shares his photos while enjoying the ZOA drink through social media platforms. His promotions have helped increase sales. ZOA energy drinks now have over 26,000 retailers, thus surpassing 100,000 distribution points.
ZOA energy drinks are made from natural ingredients such as acelora and turmeric and are free from artificial preservatives. During an interview with Forbes, the Hollywood megastar stated his reasons behind ZOA drink.
“We all know people who have had COVID, who’ve lost their lives, and it really shifted our perspectives. [We become] more focused, more determined, and more understanding that we have a unique opportunity with ZOA to create something innovative and good for people,” he stated.
Johnson’s team also revealed that ZOA is not the only drink in their line; they have more health-based products.
Under Armour
The Hollywood star partnered with Under Armour, a fitness apparel manufacturing giant, in 2016 and launched Project Rock- a new line of products. The first product released was a gym bag that sold out within two days.
As we know, The Rock has workable marketing strategies that always pay off, which also worked for this product line. Dwayne wore an Under Armour-branded T-shirt during Wrestlemania 39, and it got sold out after the event.
The company has since released products such as headphones, shoes, sneakers, and other apparel in its line. From the sales, it’s clear this partnership has always been successful, as their products sold out after launch.
Acorns
Alongside his long-time business partner Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson partnered with Acorns, a micro-investment application, in 2020. However, there is no data showing how much he invested in Acorns.
The Hollywood megastar took this step as the world shifted towards digitalization. The company issues a $7 credit to new users. The $7 symbolizes Johnson’s condition he found himself in after his football career was cut short in 1995.
During a news release, he had to say this about investing in this business venture.
“Especially this year, there are numerous people feeling as I did when I was jobless with just $7 in my pocket; anxious and uncertain about my life and future.” “Those seven bucks represented a defining moment that changed my life.”
This venture assists parents who would love to save for their kids. The Rock has made this venture successful by being an investor and doing a marketing campaign for Acorns.
XFL
XFL was launched in 2001 under Vince McMahon’s ownership but shut down later. Vince McMahon rebooted the league in 2018 but filed for bankruptcy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Johnson had to say this in his speech addressing the players during the XFL launch.
“When they told you that the dream was over, but here’s the truth your dream is just beginning,” he said
“Because what you’re going to do, you’re going to come out on this field, and you’re going to line up, and you’re going to show the world what it’s like to be truly hungry with that chip on your shoulder.”
Dwayne The Rock Johnson and his team bought XFL at $15 million and started working on it. According to Variety, The Rock signed a deal with NFL, and the training camp will likely start this year.
Athleticon
In 2019, The Rock and his business partner Dany Garcia made a major announcement about an event celebrating athletics, wellness, and entertainment. Athleticon, which is supposed to be Johnson’s big event, slowed down due to the pandemic.
The event is set to include performances, speakers, a panel, competitive athletic events, and interactive sessions. Athleticon is set to be aired this 2023 as an annual convention. Additionally, several celebrities from the movie industry are also likely to be present at the big event targeting every age-group
YouTube Channel
Many top-level stars do not route to YouTube to market their brands, but The Rock beat all the odds. He launched his YouTube channel in 2016 and engaged fans through this popular video-sharing platform.
Johnson uses the platform for marketing his movies and his other business ventures. He also shares fitness tips on the platform. During the pandemic season, he used the channel well to market his tequila brand and even made various flavored drinks.
This marketing strategy has greatly influenced the growth of business ventures; though he’s earned sizable revenue from it, he doesn’t use the platform for money-making like his other platforms.
The Rock Clock App
This venture was an inspiration by Johnson’s fans after they expressed they also desired to wake up at 4 am the same way he does and organize their lives. The Rock Clock App helps users set goals for their fitness regime and how to accomplish them.
Dwayne Johnson also used some pre-recorded motivational quotes for fitness sessions. Besides that, the clock has 25 wake-up ringtones, all curated by The Rock. The best part is, The Rock Clock App is available for free on Android and iOS.
Salt and Straw
Salt and Straw brought Dwayne on board in 2021 to release an array of ice cream flavors for the holidays. He dubbed himself Dwanta Clause and created five different flavors for his cheat meals that he always shares on social media. They came up with a $ 65-pint sale strategy that worked. According to Forbes, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was brought again on board during the 2022 edition, three years in a row.
Dwayne Johnson, as a Philanthropist
In 2006, the former WWE star founded Dwayne Johnson Foundation, created to give hope to terminally ill children. In 2007, Johnson gave back to his former college, the University of Miami, by donating $1 million to its football facility.
The football team locker room was named after his honor, and that’s the largest donation the college has also received. Dwayne Johnson has also worked severally with Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Real Estate
Aside from acting and wrestling, Dwayne has made huge investments in real estate. In November 2019, Johnson bought a 46-acre equestrian estate at $9.5 million in Powder Springs, Georgia. The estate includes a 15,000 sqft home with 8 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms.
However, he sold the property after 14 months but at $7.5 million which was a $2 million loss. Dwayne also owned another home near Fort Lauderdale, which he sold at $4.5 million in 2019.
Dwayne Johnson’s Net Worth 2023
Dwayne The Rock Johnson’s net worth is approximately $800 million by Celebrity Networth. The net worth is estimated from his 30 to 40 percent stake in the Teremana and Tequila and a $2 billion estimate valuation of the brand. Generally, The Rock can make over $1 billion from a Tequila company which is more than what he’s earned in his career.
Additionally, The Rock is amongst the highest-paid actors worldwide. Most of his income comes from his entertainment career. In 2016, Johnson was the highest-paid actor worldwide, according to Forbes. He made over $100 million from the films and endorsement endeavors.
Here is a quick summary of his earnings;
His estimated net worth in 2009 was $30 million. After one and a half a year, his net worth surpasses $50 million. In 2012, Celebrity Networth mentioned him as the richest wrestler, with a net worth of $75 million.
In 2015, The Rock was estimated to be worth $160 million thanks to his hit businesses and movies. As of 2018, his net worth stood at $280 million. He earned $90 million between June 2018-June 2019, bringing his net worth to $320 million.
Books by Dwayne Jonson
Dwayne The Rock Johnson has written one book:
The Rock says– : the most electrifying man in sports-entertainment
The book tells Dwayne Johnson’s story from childhood, his professional football time in University of Miami to his rise in WWE history and the loss of Owen Hart, his friend and coworker.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dwayne Johnson
How old is Dwayne Johnson?
As of 2023, Dwayne Johnson is 50 years old and celebrates his birthday every May 2.
How tall is Dwayne Johnson?
Though many people have judged Johnson’s height as 6’5”, that may not be true. This comes after Dwayne decided to come clean about his height. In 2020, he shared his real height in an Instagram video. He stated he’s 6’4” tall.
Did Rock quit WWE?
Johnson left the WWE in 2004, then made a comeback as a part-time wrestler in 2011-2013, and retired in 2019. Why did the Rock quit WWE? He stated that his contract expired in 2004, after WrestleMania 20.
Where does Dwayne The Rock Johnson live? Dwayne Johnson’s House
Dwayne The Rock leaves with his wife, Lauren Hashian, and their two daughters in Beverly Park, Los Angeles.
Is The Rock a billionaire?
The Rock is not a billionaire, as his worth is estimated at $800 million. However, this may change soon, considering he’s making approximately $100 million yearly. Meaning he is soon-very soon joining the billionaire list.
How does The Rock make so much money?
The Rock made so much from his acting career and being the highest paid actor in the world.
Does The Rock own tequila?
The Rock is the owner of 50% Teremana Tequila brand.
What is Dwayne Johnson’s biggest movie?
Dwayne Johnson has had eight highest-grossing movies in his career. His biggest movie was Furious 7 (2015), which grossed over $1.5 billion.
How many movies has Dwayne Johnson Been in?
Johnson has featured in at least 56 movies, and he landed a first leading role in most of them.
How much is Dwayne Johnson Worth?
As of 2023, Johnson is estimated to be worth $800 million.
Is Dwayne Johnson from Hawaii?
Dwayne Johnson was born May 2, 1971, in Hayward, California.
What is The Rock Known For?
Dwayne The Rock Johnson is famous for being a wrestler in WWE history from 1996 to 2004. He is also a box office star known for his movies The Scorpion King and Fast and Furious franchise.
What is The Rock working on now?
Johnson is currently working on Fast X, a movie where a family has to confront a new enemy fueled by revenge. The movie is set for release on 19 May, 2023. This comes after the release of RED ONE, an American action-adventure Christmas film.
Dwayne The Rock Johnson’s Favorite Quotes
“The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don’t know anything. I mean, that’s my life lesson.”
“What’s the key to success? The key is, there is no key. Be humble, hungry, and the hardest worker in any room.”
“Success isn’t overnight. It’s when every day you get a little better than the day before. It all adds up.”
“The first step to achieving your goal is to take a moment to respect your goal. Know what it means to you to achieve it.”
“Success isn’t always about ‘greatness’, it’s about consistency. Consistent, hard work gains success.”
“I’ll never, ever be full. I’ll always be hungry. Obviously, I’m not talking about food. Growing up, I had nothing for such a long time. Someone told me a long time ago, and I’ve never forgotten it, ‘Once you’ve ever been hungry, really, really hungry, then you’ll never, ever be full.”
“The wall! Your success is on the other side. Can’t jump over it or go around it. You know what to do.”
“Check your ego at the door. The ego can be the great success inhibitor. It can kill opportunities, and it can kill success.”
“I’m very low-key. I don’t really blend in, so it’s difficult to go out in public. I like to do things that are kind of quiet, whether it’s dinner at my house or a restaurant, or a movie night at home.”
“For me, training is my meditation, my yoga, hiking, biking all rolled into one. Wake up early in the morning, generally around 4 o’clock, and I’ll do my cardio on an empty stomach. Stretch, have a big breakfast, and then I’ll go train.”
“When a family film is done well, there’s a character that every member of the audience can relate to. I want to be one of those guys.”
“The first step to achieving your goal is to take a moment to respect your goal. Know what it means to you to achieve it.”
“Not only do I think being nice and kind is easy, but being kind, in my opinion is important.”
“Blood, sweat and respect. First two you give, last one you earn.”
Dwayne Johnson Social Media Platforms
Instagram: @therock
Facebook: @The Rock(Dwayne Johnson)
Twitter: Dwayne Johnson (@therock)
YouTube: @The Rock
Wikipedia: The Rock