How The Rock went from failed football player to one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood

Jason Guerrasio,Kirsten AcunaJul 27, 2021, 18:30 IST

Dwayne Johnson in "Jungle Cruise."Frank Masi/Disney

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's trajectory is a true rags to riches story.
He was dead broke after failing to make it in the NFL before becoming a WWE star.
Today, he's one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood and heads a successful production company.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has been on an incredible run of late, making him one of the most bankable stars ever.

Franchise successes like "Fast and the Furious" and "Jumanji" are just the latest hits that have turned him into not just one of the most recognizable actors in Hollywood but one of its highest-paid.

And that's only going to continue with his foray into the superhero world with his upcoming "Black Adam" project for DC Comics and teaming with Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot in the anticipated Netflix action movie "Red Notice."

But first, there's Disney's "Jungle Cruise (opening Friday in theaters and on Disney Plus), in which he teams with Emily Blunt for this latest adaptation of the classic Disney ride.

But none of this success happened overnight. Here we look back on the incredible career of "The Rock," from a failed pro football run, to becoming a WWE superstar, and then to bona fide movie stardom.

Carrie Wittmer, Frank Pallotta, and Mallory Schlossberg contributed to an earlier version of this story.

Dwayne Johnson was born on May 2, 1972, in Hayward, California.

Baby Dwayne Johnson. YouTube screengrab

Wrestling is in Johnson's blood. His father, Rocky "Soul Man" Johnson, was a member of the first African-American tag-team champions, and his grandfather Peter Maivia was one of the first Samoan wrestlers.

YouTube screengrab

Wrestling is in Johnson's blood. His father, Rocky "Soul Man" Johnson, was a member of the first African-American tag-team champions, and his grandfather Peter Maivia was one of the first Samoan wrestlers.

Johnson didn't go straight to wrestling. His first sport was football. After being a star in high school, he played in college for the Miami Hurricanes. Over his tenure at the school, Johnson started just once but appeared in 39 games and had 77 tackles. He was a part of the 1991 national championship team.

Dwayne Johnson played at the University of Miami in college. Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Johnson didn't go straight to wrestling. His first sport was football. After being a star in high school, he played in college for the Miami Hurricanes. Over his tenure at the school, Johnson started just once but appeared in 39 games and had 77 tackles. He was a part of the 1991 national championship team.

The University of Miami was also where he met his first wife, Dany Garcia. The two separated after 10 years but have stayed close. "Since our divorce, we've become pretty good at working together, and we are also raising our beautiful 11-year-old daughter, Simone," Johnson has said.

Dany Garcia and Dwayne Johnson. Doug Benc/Getty Images

The University of Miami was also where he met his first wife, Dany Garcia. The two separated after 10 years but have stayed close. "Since our divorce, we've become pretty good at working together, and we are also raising our beautiful 11-year-old daughter, Simone," Johnson has said.

If it wasn't for serious injuries to both his shoulders and back, Johnson could have perhaps continued his football career in the NFL.

Dwayne Johnson (center) played for the Miami Hurricanes. Tim DeFrisco/Getty Image

Instead, he ended up playing in the Canadian Football League, making just $250 a week and eventually getting cut. "The dreams I had, they're dashed," he recalled later. "There is no more football. My relationship was crushed. That was my absolute worst time."

Dwayne Johnson had a brief stint at the CFL. Associated Press

Instead, he ended up playing in the Canadian Football League, making just $250 a week and eventually getting cut. "The dreams I had, they're dashed," he recalled later. "There is no more football. My relationship was crushed. That was my absolute worst time."

This 2011 tweet from Johnson looking back on his life in the mid 1990s sums things up:

Johnson stepped into the family business of wrestling. He debuted on TV at the 1996 Survivor Series. His wrestling name was originally "Rocky Maivia," which combined the names of his father and grandfather.

Dwayne Johnson heads to pro wrestling. Associated Press

Johnson stepped into the family business of wrestling. He debuted on TV at the 1996 Survivor Series. His wrestling name was originally "Rocky Maivia," which combined the names of his father and grandfather.

The first third-generation wrestler in WWE history, Johnson is considered by many to be one of the greatest to ever enter the ring.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at WWE WrestleMania 32 in 2016. Brandon Wade/AP

During his many years at the WWE, Johnson was known for signature moves like "The People's Elbow" and "The Rock Bottom" as well as his talent for interviews to pump up the crowd.

The Rock (right) gives Triple H a "Rock Bottom." WWE via YouTube screengrab

During his many years at the WWE, Johnson was known for signature moves like "The People's Elbow" and "The Rock Bottom" as well as his talent for interviews to pump up the crowd.

Johnson proved his prowess in the ring by winning the WWE heavyweight title six times and securing the tag-team title five times.

(L-R) Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Vince McMahon and John Cena attend the WrestleMania 29 Press Conference at Radio City Music Hall in 2013. Eugene Gologursky/WireImage

His popularity as a wrestler put Johnson on Hollywood's radar. This included getting a call from New York about hosting "Saturday Night Live." After he was asked to host, Johnson says, "I fell out of my chair."

Dwayne Johnson signing autographs. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

His popularity as a wrestler put Johnson on Hollywood's radar. This included getting a call from New York about hosting "Saturday Night Live." After he was asked to host, Johnson says, "I fell out of my chair."

The wrestler's stint on "SNL" (as seen below - he's playing the monkey-human hybrid Papa Peepers) was a ratings success. Most importantly, the gig showed Hollywood that Johnson wasn't just another wrestler - he could really act.

Dwayne Johnson (center) as Papa Peepers in an episode of "Saturday Night Live." NBC via Yahoo screengrab

The wrestler's stint on "SNL" (as seen below - he's playing the monkey-human hybrid Papa Peepers) was a ratings success. Most importantly, the gig showed Hollywood that Johnson wasn't just another wrestler - he could really act.

Johnson made his feature-film debut in 2001's "The Mummy Returns," playing a villainous ruler. He reprised the role in "The Scorpion King" for which made $5.5 million, the most any actor has made for a first leading role.

Dwayne Johnson gets the CGI treatment in "The Mummy Returns." Universal via YouTube screengrab

Johnson made his feature-film debut in 2001's "The Mummy Returns," playing a villainous ruler. He reprised the role in "The Scorpion King" for which made $5.5 million, the most any actor has made for a first leading role.

Despite the large paycheck, it wasn't until "The Rundown" in 2003 that people began to see Johnson as a legitimate action hero. "The Rock has a flair for action and comedy," Rolling Stone wrote. "He's a real movie star."

Dwayne Johnson in "The Rundown." Universal via YouTube screengrab

Despite the large paycheck, it wasn't until "The Rundown" in 2003 that people began to see Johnson as a legitimate action hero. "The Rock has a flair for action and comedy," Rolling Stone wrote. "He's a real movie star."

As Johnson's film career began to take off, he dropped "The Rock" from his name. "'The Rock' was a name, a character I created in TV," he said. "When I made the transition into film, I knew eventually I was going to be billed as my given name."

Dwayne Johnson. Michael Buckner/Getty Images

As Johnson's film career began to take off, he dropped "The Rock" from his name. "'The Rock' was a name, a character I created in TV," he said. "When I made the transition into film, I knew eventually I was going to be billed as my given name."

He showed his range by acting in family films like 2007's "The Game Plan" and comedies like "The Other Guys." "I felt there were bigger and better opportunities," Johnson said. "I also felt there was franchise potential, hopefully, multiple franchises in every genre - whether drama or comedy or action-comedy."

(L-R) Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson have an amazing cameo in "The Other Guys." Columbia Pictures via YouTube screengrab

He showed his range by acting in family films like 2007's "The Game Plan" and comedies like "The Other Guys." "I felt there were bigger and better opportunities," Johnson said. "I also felt there was franchise potential, hopefully, multiple franchises in every genre - whether drama or comedy or action-comedy."

After years of finding his footing in Hollywood, Johnson finally hit his stride when he appeared in the fifth installment of the popular "Fast and the Furious" series, 2011's "Fast Five," alongside Vin Diesel. "I've known Vin for a long time and we've always talked about doing something together," Johnson said. "This felt like the right opportunity to create a formidable adversary for him."

(L-R) Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson in "Fast Five." Universal Pictures

After years of finding his footing in Hollywood, Johnson finally hit his stride when he appeared in the fifth installment of the popular "Fast and the Furious" series, 2011's "Fast Five," alongside Vin Diesel. "I've known Vin for a long time and we've always talked about doing something together," Johnson said. "This felt like the right opportunity to create a formidable adversary for him."

"Fast 5" went on to make $676 million worldwide. Johnson appeared in 2013's sequel "Fast & Furious 6" and in 2015's "Furious 7," which made an astounding $1.5 billion worldwide.

Dwayne Johnson in "Furious 7." Universal

"Fast 5" went on to make $676 million worldwide. Johnson appeared in 2013's sequel "Fast & Furious 6" and in 2015's "Furious 7," which made an astounding $1.5 billion worldwide.

Throughout Johnson's career, the one thing separating him from many is his work ethic. The actor put on "12 to 15 pounds of muscle" for 2013's "Pain and Gain." Between himself and costar Mark Wahlberg, the actors were eating 17 meals a day.

Dwayne Johnson and Mark Wahlberg in "Pain & Gain." Paramount Pictures

Throughout Johnson's career, the one thing separating him from many is his work ethic. The actor put on "12 to 15 pounds of muscle" for 2013's "Pain and Gain." Between himself and costar Mark Wahlberg, the actors were eating 17 meals a day.

In an interview with Muscle and Fitness magazine, Johnson said his diet contained seven meals a day - four of which consisted of cod.

Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Even though Johnson's acting career was going strong, he has returned to the ring for events like Wrestlemania and Royal Rumble over the years. "I'm back, not for money, not because I like being on the road, but because I love the business," he said.

Dwayne Johnson announced his participation in 2016's Wrestlemania. Michael N. Todaro/Getty Images

Even though Johnson's acting career was going strong, he has returned to the ring for events like Wrestlemania and Royal Rumble over the years. "I'm back, not for money, not because I like being on the road, but because I love the business," he said.

Hits like 2015's "San Andreas" and "Central Intelligence" starring opposite Kevin Hart the following year proved Johnson's star status had staying power.

(L-R) Kevin Hard and Dwayne Johnson in "Central Intelligence." Warner Bros.

Then he went and got into the Disney business with the hit "Moana," in which he plays demigod Maui. It was another box office sensation.

Guess which one The Rock played. Disney

Johnson also jumped into the TV realm. In the HBO series "Ballers," he plays a former pro football player turned financial manager and attempts to persuade current stars to hire him. The series, which Johnson was also a producer on, ran for five seasons.

Dwayne Johnson was the star and producer on "Ballers." HBO

Johnson also jumped into the TV realm. In the HBO series "Ballers," he plays a former pro football player turned financial manager and attempts to persuade current stars to hire him. The series, which Johnson was also a producer on, ran for five seasons.

In 2017, Johnson joined the "Fast" family once more for "The Fate of the Furious." It was another hit, scoring over $1 billion at the worldwide box office ...

Dwayne Johnson in "The Fate of the Furious." Universal Pictures

But would mark the final time Johnson and Vin Diesel would share the screen together. Friction between the two on set reportedly led to the split.

Dwayne Johnson in "Fate of the Furious." Universal

Johnson teamed with Jason Statham for the 2019 "Fast" spin-off "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw," but the likelihood of him coming back to the franchise is slim. He recently said, "I wish them the best of luck."

(L-R) Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham in "Hobbs and Shaw." Universal

Johnson teamed with Jason Statham for the 2019 "Fast" spin-off "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw," but the likelihood of him coming back to the franchise is slim. He recently said, "I wish them the best of luck."

Johnson hardly has a lack of franchises to go to. His involvement in the relaunch of the "Jumanji" franchise with 2017's "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" and 2019's "Jumanji: The Next Level" proved even decades-old IP's can be profitable with his name attached.

Dwayne Johnson in "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle". Sony Pictures

Johnson hardly has a lack of franchises to go to. His involvement in the relaunch of the "Jumanji" franchise with 2017's "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" and 2019's "Jumanji: The Next Level" proved even decades-old IP's can be profitable with his name attached.

Next, he will launch the superhero chapter of his career, as he recently wrapped on shooting the much anticipated "Black Adam."

Concept art of Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam. Warner Bros./DC

Johnson wrote in a July Instagram post that the conditioning and diet to play the DC Comics superhero has been the "hardest of my career."

Johnson is also finding success as a producer. With his Seven Bucks Productions, which he co-founded with Dany Garcia, he's been behind everything from NBC's "The Titan Games" to the 2019 indie hit "Fighting with My Family," which featured a breakout performance by Florence Pugh.

Florence Pugh in "Fighting with My Family," which was produced by Dwayne Johnson. MGM

Johnson is also finding success as a producer. With his Seven Bucks Productions, which he co-founded with Dany Garcia, he's been behind everything from NBC's "The Titan Games" to the 2019 indie hit "Fighting with My Family," which featured a breakout performance by Florence Pugh.

He's also a producer behind the NBC series, "Young Rock," which premiered in 2021. It's based on his life and has been renewed for a second season.

Uli Latukefu as Dwayne Johnson in "Young Rock." NBC

Johnson topped Forbes' highest-paid actor list in 2018 and 2019. Taking in $89.4 million and $87.5 million, respectively.

Dwayne Johnson is earning major bucks. Rich Polk/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly

Johnson has also become an entrepreneur with his own energy drink, ZOA, and he's one of the latest celebrities to have his own liquor brand with Teremana Tequila.

With all of this success and popularity, some think he would make for a great president. "It'd be my honor," he said when it was brought up to him.

Dwayne Johnson. Axelle/Brauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty

Johnson will next be seen in the Disney action movie, "Jungle Cruise." It also stars Emily Blunt and will be available in theaters and on Disney Plus.

Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson in "Jungle Cruise." Walt Disney Studios

In November, Johnson stars opposite Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot for the Netflix action thriller "Red Notice."

Dwayne Johnson in "Red Notice." Netflix

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How The Rock went from failed football player to one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood

Dwayne Johnson was born on May 2, 1972, in Hayward, California.

Wrestling is in Johnson's blood. His father, Rocky "Soul Man" Johnson, was a member of the first African-American tag-team champions, and his grandfather Peter Maivia was one of the first Samoan wrestlers.

The University of Miami was also where he met his first wife, Dany Garcia. The two separated after 10 years but have stayed close. "Since our divorce, we've become pretty good at working together, and we are also raising our beautiful 11-year-old daughter, Simone," Johnson has said.

If it wasn't for serious injuries to both his shoulders and back, Johnson could have perhaps continued his football career in the NFL.

Instead, he ended up playing in the Canadian Football League, making just $250 a week and eventually getting cut. "The dreams I had, they're dashed," he recalled later. "There is no more football. My relationship was crushed. That was my absolute worst time."

This 2011 tweet from Johnson looking back on his life in the mid 1990s sums things up:

Johnson stepped into the family business of wrestling. He debuted on TV at the 1996 Survivor Series. His wrestling name was originally "Rocky Maivia," which combined the names of his father and grandfather.

The first third-generation wrestler in WWE history, Johnson is considered by many to be one of the greatest to ever enter the ring.

During his many years at the WWE, Johnson was known for signature moves like "The People's Elbow" and "The Rock Bottom" as well as his talent for interviews to pump up the crowd.

Johnson proved his prowess in the ring by winning the WWE heavyweight title six times and securing the tag-team title five times.

His popularity as a wrestler put Johnson on Hollywood's radar. This included getting a call from New York about hosting "Saturday Night Live." After he was asked to host, Johnson says, "I fell out of my chair."

The wrestler's stint on "SNL" (as seen below - he's playing the monkey-human hybrid Papa Peepers) was a ratings success. Most importantly, the gig showed Hollywood that Johnson wasn't just another wrestler - he could really act.

Johnson made his feature-film debut in 2001's "The Mummy Returns," playing a villainous ruler. He reprised the role in "The Scorpion King" for which made $5.5 million, the most any actor has made for a first leading role.

Despite the large paycheck, it wasn't until "The Rundown" in 2003 that people began to see Johnson as a legitimate action hero. "The Rock has a flair for action and comedy," Rolling Stone wrote. "He's a real movie star."

As Johnson's film career began to take off, he dropped "The Rock" from his name. "'The Rock' was a name, a character I created in TV," he said. "When I made the transition into film, I knew eventually I was going to be billed as my given name."

"Fast 5" went on to make $676 million worldwide. Johnson appeared in 2013's sequel "Fast & Furious 6" and in 2015's "Furious 7," which made an astounding $1.5 billion worldwide.

Throughout Johnson's career, the one thing separating him from many is his work ethic. The actor put on "12 to 15 pounds of muscle" for 2013's "Pain and Gain." Between himself and costar Mark Wahlberg, the actors were eating 17 meals a day.

In an interview with Muscle and Fitness magazine, Johnson said his diet contained seven meals a day - four of which consisted of cod.

Even though Johnson's acting career was going strong, he has returned to the ring for events like Wrestlemania and Royal Rumble over the years. "I'm back, not for money, not because I like being on the road, but because I love the business," he said.

Hits like 2015's "San Andreas" and "Central Intelligence" starring opposite Kevin Hart the following year proved Johnson's star status had staying power.

Then he went and got into the Disney business with the hit "Moana," in which he plays demigod Maui. It was another box office sensation.

Johnson also jumped into the TV realm. In the HBO series "Ballers," he plays a former pro football player turned financial manager and attempts to persuade current stars to hire him. The series, which Johnson was also a producer on, ran for five seasons.

In 2017, Johnson joined the "Fast" family once more for "The Fate of the Furious." It was another hit, scoring over $1 billion at the worldwide box office ...

But would mark the final time Johnson and Vin Diesel would share the screen together. Friction between the two on set reportedly led to the split.

Johnson teamed with Jason Statham for the 2019 "Fast" spin-off "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw," but the likelihood of him coming back to the franchise is slim. He recently said, "I wish them the best of luck."

Johnson hardly has a lack of franchises to go to. His involvement in the relaunch of the "Jumanji" franchise with 2017's "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" and 2019's "Jumanji: The Next Level" proved even decades-old IP's can be profitable with his name attached.

Next, he will launch the superhero chapter of his career, as he recently wrapped on shooting the much anticipated "Black Adam."

Johnson wrote in a July Instagram post that the conditioning and diet to play the DC Comics superhero has been the "hardest of my career."

Johnson is also finding success as a producer. With his Seven Bucks Productions, which he co-founded with Dany Garcia, he's been behind everything from NBC's "The Titan Games" to the 2019 indie hit "Fighting with My Family," which featured a breakout performance by Florence Pugh.

He's also a producer behind the NBC series, "Young Rock," which premiered in 2021. It's based on his life and has been renewed for a second season.

Johnson topped Forbes' highest-paid actor list in 2018 and 2019. Taking in $89.4 million and $87.5 million, respectively.

Johnson has also become an entrepreneur with his own energy drink, ZOA, and he's one of the latest celebrities to have his own liquor brand with Teremana Tequila.

With all of this success and popularity, some think he would make for a great president. "It'd be my honor," he said when it was brought up to him.

Johnson will next be seen in the Disney action movie, "Jungle Cruise." It also stars Emily Blunt and will be available in theaters and on Disney Plus.

In November, Johnson stars opposite Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot for the Netflix action thriller "Red Notice."