Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is a titan of entertainment. In fact, he's more than lived up to his goal of being “The most electrifying man in Sports Entertainment!” He's fully transformed from a pro wrestler that sometimes acts, into a full-time movie star. And his cousin even stands in as his stunt double.
But who is Dwayne Johnson? He seems bigger than life, but his diehard fans know him as a truly awesome, down-to-earth guy. He is also known as a loving dad to his three daughters. From world records to a wrestling pedigree that goes back generations, there's plenty more to find out about The Rock than you thought you knew.
Johnson Was Almost Tim Burton's Willy Wonka
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If for whatever reason Johnny Depp had turned down the role of Willy Wonka in Tim Burton's film, the very next name on his list was Dwayne The Rock Johnson. Can you think of two more different movies? A Depp Wonka vs. a Rock Wonka... crazy. At least we finally know what the Rock was cooking. Chocolate. It was chocolate this whole time.
Johnson Had A Rough Childhood
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Dwayne Johnson was a big kid—a real big kid. He was 6'4, 225LBs going into high school. This gave him both confidence and arrogance, which led to some troubled years. He was arrested a number of times from 14-15. Johnson told Muscle & Fitness in 2015:
I was running around and getting in trouble a lot. I was arrested multiple times for a multitude of things, from fighting to a theft ring to check fraud to more fighting. I did a lot of stupid sh*t and struggled to stay on the right path.
At 15, he realized how much trouble and stress it was causing his parents so he cleaned up his act and has been on the right path ever since. He even uses some of his time helping other troubled youth to this day.
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Johnson Was The First Athlete Ever To Host SNL More Than Once
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When The Rock first hosted SNL back in 2000 many give credit to that appearance as getting his career as an actor started. So that in and of itself is well worth it. But when he was quickly invited back in 2002 it was the first time any athlete had been invited to return. This locked Dwayne/The Rock in as much more than just a wrestler. He was well on his way to film stardom. He has since gone on to join the show's prestigious Five-Timers Club.
Johnson Often Hires His Cousin As His Stunt Double
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- Metaweb
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When you're 6'4", it's hard to find a stunt double. When you're also 260LBs, it's nearly impossible. Luckily for Dwayne Johnson (and all the productions he works on) his cousin is almost the same mountainous size, and a stunt guy! He's got a similar build, tattoos, and skin tone, and they've worked together for over a decade! On everything from The Scorpion King to the Fast movies.
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'The Rock' Appeared As His Own Father On 'That '70s Show'
!['The Rock' Appeared As His Own Father On 'That '70s Show']()
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When your dad is an icon of the '70s and you become an icon of the 2000s and then there's a show set in the '70s, sometimes you have the amazing opportunity to play your own father in the past! This very thing occurred on an episode of That '70s Show in its very first season.
Johnson Is A Recipient Of The Congressional Horizon Award
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Back in 2008, Dwayne Johnson was honored by congress. He received a Congressional Horizon Award, which is an award given to people who "have contributed to expanding opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions, and who have set exceptional examples for young people through their own successes in life." His ex-wife and daughter stood alongside him as he accepted the award.
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