20 Facts About Dwayne Johnson: $7, A Wrestler Grandma, and Elvis Presley

Shortinterestingfacts compiled some interesting facts about the life of Mr. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson:

1. Wrestling Legacy: Everyone knows that Dwayne Johnson is a third-generation wrestler, with both his father and grandfather having been in the ring. However, few realize that passing the torch to Dwayne wasn’t immediate. In fact, his father was initially against his son pursuing a sports career. It wasn’t until 12-year-old Dwayne was pinned by a barbell in the gym, unable to lift it, that the elder Johnson took his training seriously.
2. Troubled Youth: As a teenager, Dwayne wasn’t exactly a model citizen. Starting at age 14, he and some fellow troublemakers would rob local tourists, earning him nine arrests over three years. He also found himself in jail during his youth, this time for fighting.
3. Depressed Teen: Mr. Rock once admitted that his teenage years were the worst time of his life. He was constantly followed by depression, plagued by nightmares, and had strained relationships with his loved ones. All of this wasn’t due to financial struggles or legal issues but because his dream of a football career was suddenly cut short by a back injury.
4. Family of Wrestlers: Many of Johnson’s relatives were also involved in wrestling. Besides his father and grandfather, his cousins (Eddie, Rodney, and Solofa) and two uncles, Afa and Sika, were professional wrestlers. Even his grandmother made a name for herself in women’s wrestling in Polynesia.
5. Wrestling Fame: Dwayne Johnson is still regarded as one of the most famous wrestlers in the history of the sport. He became a WWE Champion 17 times and won the Intercontinental Championship twice. Even now, when he appears at wrestling events as a guest, fans greet him with standing ovations.
6. “Seven Bucks”: Johnson named his production company “Seven Bucks Productions” because, at one point in his life, that’s all he had in his bank account after his football career ended. He didn’t want to forget where he started.
7. Acting for Stability: Dwayne pursued acting to have a more stable career, understanding that a wrestler’s career is short-lived. He moved to Hollywood looking for a career that could last a lifetime. He didn’t need to take risks or grab any opportunity that came his way, as he had already made a decent amount of money.
8. Grandfather’s Cameo: Dwayne’s maternal grandfather, Peter Maivia, didn’t have a full-fledged acting career but did appear in a movie once. It was in the 1967 James Bond film “You Only Live Twice.”
9. Stunt Double: Despite being in excellent shape, big-budget films aren’t the place for unnecessary risks. Dwayne uses stunt doubles, most often his cousin, Tanoai Reed, who even broke his leg while doubling for The Rock in “The Rundown” (2003).
10. Daring Stunts: However, Dwayne sometimes performs his own stunts. For example, in “San Andreas,” he had to rappel from a helicopter to a car stuck on a cliff about 50 meters high. The director wanted the actors’ real emotions, so they decided to minimize the use of stunt doubles.
11. Elvis Fan: Dwayne Johnson is a huge fan of Elvis Presley. When he was sent the script for the sports drama “The Game Plan,” he suggested making his character a fan of Elvis. The scriptwriters agreed, and some of the Elvis-related items in the film actually belong to Dwayne, as he has an extensive collection.
12. Singing Talent: Dwayne can sing pretty well too. He has performed in comedic shows and more serious projects, like singing “What a Wonderful World” in “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.” And let’s not forget his singing in “Moana.”
13. Not Afraid of Risks: Mr. Rock isn’t afraid of taking risks. Not only did he perform dangerous stunts, but he also attended the birth of his daughter in April 2018 with his girlfriend Lauren.
14. Weight Issues: Believe it or not, Dwayne Johnson has also faced weight issues. For his role in the TV series “Ballers,” he had to lose over 20 pounds. He considers his ideal weight to be around 120 kg, which isn’t surprising given his height of 196 cm.
15. Unusual Diet: Johnson’s diet might seem questionable to some. He consumes 5,165 calories a day across seven meals, including nearly a kilogram of cod, 12 eggs, two bowls of oatmeal, and more. But his “cheat days” are even more impressive, with 12 pancakes, four large pizzas, and over 20 muffins.
16. Serious Actor: If anyone tells you Dwayne Johnson isn’t a serious actor, don’t believe them. A few years ago, he received a letter that said, “I’ve enjoyed your films for many years. Great work! I’m proud of you and look forward to meeting you. Yours, Steven Spielberg.”
17. Animal Lover: Dwayne loves animals. He has two French bulldogs named Hobbs and Brutus. When they accidentally fell into the pool, he jumped in to save them, forgetting to remove his shoes.
18. Feuds on Set: Johnson doesn’t always get along with his co-stars. During the filming of “Fast & Furious 8,” he had a major falling out with Vin Diesel, forcing the director to film their scenes separately. Some speculated that this “feud” was part of the film’s PR campaign, but the actors never reconciled.
19. Strange Records: The Rock holds some unusual records. He became the selfie champion, taking 105 selfies in three minutes at the premiere of “San Andreas.” He and his team also baked a massive seven-layer dip weighing 245 kg, which made it into the Guinness World Records.
20. Philanthropy: Dwayne Johnson is heavily involved in philanthropy. Over 10 years ago, he founded a charity to help terminally ill children and another organization working with troubled youth, a nod to his own criminal past. He also donated over a million dollars to his alma mater, the University of Miami, in 2007 to improve their sports facilities.