Dwayne Johnson
Iconic actor and wrestler, Dwayne Johnson built a global empire in sports and cinema.
Chronology: 1972-05-02 – Present
Origins & Early Life
Dwayne Douglas Johnson (born May 2, 1972), also known by his ring name "the Rock", is an American actor and professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on a part-time basis. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Johnson was integral to the development and success of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) during the Attitude Era.
Pivotal Works & Achievements
He wrestled for the WWF full-time for eight years before pursuing an acting career. His films have grossed over $11.4 billion worldwide, making him one of the world's highest-grossing actors of all time. He is a co-owner of the United Football League, a member of the board of directors of TKO Group Holdings—the parent company of UFC and WWE—and co-founder of Seven Bucks Productions. After accepting an athletic scholarship to play football at the University of Miami as a defensive tackle, Johnson was a member of the 1991 national championship team but was largely a backup player.
Enduring Legacy & Impact
Despite aspirations to play professional football, he went undrafted in the 1995 NFL draft, and briefly signed with the Calgary Stampeders before being cut in his first season. In 1996, with assistance from his father in securing a contract, Johnson debuted in the WWF's New Generation Era as Rocky Maivia. The next year, Johnson adopted the more famous gimmick of The Rock, a charismatic trash talker, and soon rose to global prominence in the company's Attitude Era. Johnson left the WWE in 2004; he returned in 2011 as a part-time performer until 2013 and made sporadic appearances until his retirement in 2019; in 2023, he returned once again on a part-time basis. A 10-time world champion—including the promotion's first of African descent—he is also a two-time Intercontinental Champion, a five-time Tag Team Champion, the 2000 Royal Rumble winner, and WWE's sixth Triple Crown champion.
Source: Wikipedia