Dwayne Johnson recently pulled back the curtain on his childhood marked by struggle and a family dynamic that was anything but peaceful. In a rare and revealing interview, “The Rock” shared the untold story of his early years and the “volcanic relationship” between his parents.
Dwayne Johnson talks about his childhood and family struggles
In this open-hearted interview with Variety, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson opened up about his turbulent childhood, which shaped him into the man he is today. As a teenager, Johnson’s life was a blur of unfamiliar landscapes. Amidst the constant upheaval, one thing that remained unchanged in his teen years were pretty dysfunctional.
The Fast and the Furious star recalled. “My own mom and dad had an explosive and volcanic relationship. “My dad was a pro wrestler at a time when it was the Wild West. There wasn’t million-dollar contracts. It was paycheck to paycheck and just trying to survive. And my dad struggled with his addictions and focused on his career and himself, while my mom was at home, raising me”, he explained. “She had to give up her own dreams and support the man that she loves. All she wanted was to be seen, and she was never seen. And I grew up watching that kind of decline in a relationship when a man battles his own demons. I watched their fights. I heard their fights, which is even worse”, reflected Johnson.
For 26 years, Dwayne Johnson walled off his pain, channeling it into a persona of gruff, breezy charm that captivated audiences worldwide. However, 2017 marked a turning point for Johnson’s personal as well as professional life. He confronted his past by taking on the role of MMA fighter Mark Kerr. The two-time UFC heavyweight champion’s career was derailed by addiction. The result is A24’s The Smashing Machine, a game-changing film and a career pinnacle for Johnson.
The Rock received the Creative Impact in Acting Award at the 2026 Palm Springs International Film Festival. The prestigious honor, courtesy of Variety, follows his first-ever Golden Globe nomination for his impeccable performance in the gripping sports drama. Johnson accepted the award on January 4, during Variety’s annual brunch.
