Dwayne Johnson Reflects on His Relationship with His Late Father
Dwayne “Rock” Johnson recently opened up about the complexities of his relationship with his late father, Rocky Johnson, during an interview. The 53-year-old actor discussed a disagreement they had regarding Rocky’s memoir, which includes a quote acknowledging his father’s influence on his career.
“It hurts,” he expressed in a feature published by The New York Times Magazine. This conversation came shortly after Rocky had released “Soulman: The Story of Rocky Johnson,” a book to which Dwayne was shocked to have contributed a foreword.
“It just completely crossed the line,” he remarked, referring to the issues surrounding the memoir. “It’s a warning, it’s back to narcissism.” His comments highlight the ongoing struggle with their relationship, which saw its most significant conflict about 25 years ago when he pursued a similar path in wrestling.
At that time, Rocky questioned Dwayne’s intentions, asking, “What do you think you probably have to offer?” Johnson, reflecting on his upbringing, noted that his father was often absent due to his wrestling career, which created challenges in their bond. The instability of his parents’ relationship led to periods of separation.
Johnson described feeling a sense of relief when they fought, possibly because it allowed for honesty on both sides. He also recalled the most painful moment of his life involving his father. At 15, after getting evicted with his mother in Hawaii, they reached out to Rocky, who briefly offered them a place.
However, what Dwayne found upon arriving in Nashville was disheartening. He discovered his father was living with another woman, leaving him to confront a painful reality of family dynamics. “Thinking about that hurts my heart,” he reflected, acknowledging the emotional turmoil it caused his mother, who had driven a long distance only to face such a situation.
In that moment, he described a disheartening collapse of familial connection rather than an explosive confrontation. He feels a deep sense of responsibility towards his mother’s well-being during those formative years, recalling her expressions that still haunt him.
Looking back, Johnson mentioned that his father’s memoirs, posthumously published in 2019, were filled with inaccuracies, stating, “Growing up with my father, I know the truth in all these stories. They are not in this book.” He ultimately made the decision to pull the book from shelves.
Rocky Johnson passed away in 2020, right as Dwayne was commencing filming for “Red Notice.” Initially torn, he opted to push through and continue working, recalling one of his father’s many life lessons. At the funeral, Dwayne recognized that while his father was a complex parent, he was also a cherished friend to many in the wrestling community.
When asked whether he felt more like his father’s friend than his son, Johnson reflected, “He wasn’t my friend either. I hope. I think my mother was my friend.” Now, Dwayne is embracing fatherhood himself with three children: Simone, 24; Jasmine, 9; and Tiana, 7.
