Dwayne Johnson, famously known as “The Rock,” resorted to acts of theft in order to financially support his family during his youth. Incidentally, at the tender age of 17, he faced the consequences of his actions and found himself behind bars about eight times. However, destiny had greater plans for him, eventually propelling him to become a prominent A-list celebrity.
In a recent Instagram post dated September 24th, The Rock candidly shared the significance he places on his reputation, drawing from his challenging past experiences. Grateful for his public recognition, he acknowledges the multitude of positive opportunities that fame has brought into his life. However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for him. The wrestling legend reflects on times when he faced financial hardships, unable to even fulfill his basic rent obligations. At certain points, he grappled with establishing himself and faced a daunting bankruptcy, reaching a critical juncture where eviction loomed just a day away.
At the age of 15, a photo of a young Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was shared on Instagram, showcasing his early years before achieving fame and success. The now 51-year-old actor has had his fair share of challenges and triumphs throughout his life.
Born into a family that struggled financially, Johnson’s upbringing was far from affluent. His father, Rocky Johnson, was an African-Canadian wrestler, while his mother hailed from a Samoan background. Growing up, Johnson experienced limited quality time with his parents as they were often away from home in order to make ends meet.
The strain of difficult economic circumstances can take a toll on any family, and the Johnson household was no exception. Sadly, Johnson witnessed his mother’s desperate act of attempting suicide following a heated argument with his father, highlighting the emotional turmoil that plagued their relationship.
These early hardships undoubtedly shaped Johnson’s outlook on life and influenced his drive for success. Despite the obstacles he faced, he persevered and went on to become one of the world’s most renowned and profitable artists.
At the age of 14, Johnson and his family faced the distressing situation of being deported from Hawaii. This unfortunate event left Johnson’s mother overwhelmed with tears and uncertainty about their future living arrangements and means of survival. Recalling this period, Johnson described it as one of the bleakest times in his life, as mentioned in The Hollywood Reporter.
Under such challenging circumstances, Johnson found himself drawn into a life of crime. In the weeks leading up to their deportation, he engaged in perilous street brawls and resorted to theft in order to assist his mother in covering their bills, especially after her car was seized. During an interview with Muscle and Fitness, the actor candidly revealed that he had been arrested around eight times by the age of 17 and had even been involved with a criminal group in Hawaii that specifically targeted tourists.
During his time as a student, The Rock, also known as Dwayne Johnson, developed a passion for working out. At the age of 14, he began training, which coincided with a period of trouble involving fighting and theft. Despite this, every afternoon he would head to the gym to box and exercise, igniting his love for fitness, as he shared in an interview with Muscle & Fitness.
Johnson’s family faced frequent relocations, moving between New Zealand and America. In the 1980s, the actor spent several months living in 13 different states within the US. In 1991, when he enrolled in college, he joined the rugby team. However, his sports career was hindered by numerous injuries he sustained over the years. Although he briefly played for the Calgary Stampeders, he was eventually dropped from the official roster, barely earning enough money to sustain himself, reaching a low point with only seven dollars. Following his departure from the team, The Rock moved in with his parents in Florida, battling with depression during that time.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson embarked on his professional wrestling journey with the guidance of his father after spending nearly two months at home. In the early stages of his career, he earned a meager $40 per match, striving to make ends meet by selling cars at flea markets and parking lots. However, Johnson’s fate took a turn when he caught the attention of wrestler Pat Patterson at the age of 24. Patterson was thoroughly impressed by Johnson’s talent and promptly introduced him to the executives at WWE (formerly WWF).
In 1996, Johnson made his debut as Rocky Maivia, a moniker crafted by combining the wrestling names of his father and grandfather. However, despite winning several matches in his first year, fans displayed disapproval towards Johnson. Determined to reinvent himself, Johnson shed his previous identity and assumed the new persona of The Rock in 1997. From that point onwards, he became known as The People’s Champion. During the “Attitude Era” of WWE, characterized by the audience’s fondness for confrontations between wrestlers, Johnson would often berate the crowd and journalists in the ring, showcasing his aggression and tenacity. He went on to claim eight WWE championship titles throughout his career, ultimately retiring from professional competition in 2004.
Transitioning into the field of acting, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has enjoyed a string of notable achievements. He made his silver screen debut in 2001 with the film The Mummy Returns, assuming the role of the Scorpion King, an ancient Egyptian warrior king. Despite his limited screen time, Johnson’s portrayal garnered significant attention, earning him a staggering $5.5 million for his inaugural performance. This success propelled him to secure a leading role in a standalone movie centered around the Scorpion King character, slated for release the following year.
Over the course of his professional journey, Johnson has been consistently drawn to robust characters and fearless determination in his action-packed filmography, spanning over 40 notable productions, most notably in the esteemed franchises like Fast & Furious and Jumanji. Notably, his portrayal of Hobbs in the Fast & Furious series alone garnered him an impressive sum of around 35 million USD. However, it’s worth mentioning that Johnson’s talents extend beyond thrilling fight sequences, as he has also left a lasting impression in the realm of comedy with his performances in movies such as Tooth Fairy (2010), Central Intelligence (2016), and Baywatch (2017).
In a recent report by Forbes, it has been revealed that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has consistently held a top spot among the highest-earning individuals in the entertainment industry for several years now. Not only did he dominate the list of highest-earning actors in 2019, but he also managed to secure the number one spot in 2020. With a staggering fortune of $270 million, Johnson has managed to accumulate wealth through various avenues. His impressive income streams include his acting roles in blockbuster movies, authoring books, selling his own clothing line, entering into lucrative partnerships with respected companies like Ford and Apple, and his involvement with WWE.