The Rock Opens Up: Heartbreaking Confession About Estranged Father
THE ROCK'S ROUGH PAST: Dwayne Johnson Opens Up About His Turbulent Relationship with His Late Father
In a candid conversation at the Venice Film Festival, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson revealed that his latest film, The Smashing Machine, was inspired by the life of MMA fighter Mark Kerr - but what's more interesting is the troubled past he left behind.
Dwayne, 53, who has been making waves in Hollywood with blockbuster hits like Jumanji and Moana, admitted to being drawn to Kerr's complex character, describing him as "a walking contradiction" - a former wrestling superstar turned MMA fighter who was known for his kindness and empathy despite being one of the toughest fighters on the planet.
When asked about how he got into the role, Dwayne hinted that he didn't draw inspiration from his own family history. In fact, he went as far as to say that his father's influence on him was limited, due to a tumultuous past.
"My dad wasn't really an inspiration for me," Dwayne revealed in a chat with AP. "He was homeless by the time he was 13, and you can only imagine what kind of scars that leaves behind. His capacity for love was very limited, and that's the man who raised me."
The Hollywood star went on to explain that his father, Rocky "Soulman" Johnson, wasn't exactly a loving figure in their household. In fact, Dwayne revealed that they had a massive fight on Christmas Eve 2019, which led to them not speaking for several months before his passing.
"I wish I could go back and hug him one more time," Dwayne wrote on Instagram earlier this year, reflecting on his father's death. "We got into a huge argument on the phone, and it was just one of those things that you can't take back."
When asked about their fight, Dwayne remained tight-lipped, but hinted at his father's past brushes with the law. It seems that Rocky wasn't exactly a straight arrow - something that Dwayne learned the hard way.
"Rocky taught me the importance of discipline and hard work," Dwayne said, "but there were some other lessons I picked up along the way... let's just say they weren't exactly what you'd call 'positive' influences."
The Rock's relationship with his father was far from perfect. In fact, when he passed away in 2020 at the age of 75 due to a pulmonary embolism caused by deep vein thrombosis, Dwayne found himself delivering a poignant eulogy just six days later.
"It's funny," Dwayne said, "when you're growing up, you think you'll have all this time with your parents. But when they're gone, it hits you like a ton of bricks."
Dwayne has spoken publicly about the importance of forgiveness and making amends with loved ones before it's too late. In his eulogy for Rocky, he encouraged everyone to reach out to their aging parents and try to resolve any issues they may have.
"If you've got your old man around," Dwayne said, "get uncomfortable and pull him aside and say, 'Let's do our best to squash this.' You start to realize that even with a limited capacity for love, he loved me - and I'm grateful for that."
As The Rock continues to navigate the complexities of his family history, fans can't help but wonder what other secrets lie beneath the surface. One thing's for sure: Dwayne Johnson is one actor who isn't afraid to get real about his past.
THE ROCK'S PAST CONTINUED
Dwayne has spoken publicly about the importance of learning from your mistakes and moving forward. In a recent interview with The Scholarly Note, he reflected on the lessons he learned from his father's passing.
"It's funny," Dwayne said, "when you're growing up, you think you'll have all this time with your parents. But when they're gone, it hits you like a ton of bricks."
Dwayne has been open about his desire to make amends with his family members and friends before it's too late.
"I wish I could go back in time," Dwayne said, "and do things differently. But all we can do is learn from our mistakes and move forward."
As The Rock continues to navigate the ups and downs of life, fans can't help but wonder what other secrets lie beneath the surface. One thing's for sure: this actor isn't afraid to get real about his past.
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The Rock's Father's Death: A Look Back
How Dwayne Learned from His Mistakes