Dwayne Johnson reflected on his complicated bond with his father on the Golden Globes 2026 red carpet. Notably, Johnson headlined the biographical sports-drama film “The Smashing Machine” playing the role of MMA fighter Mark Kerr. He revealed how the film had a deep impact on his personal life, particularly on his relationship with his father.
Dwayne Johnson shares his changing perspective on his relationship with his dad
Dwayne Johnson discusses how his own feelings changed regarding his complicated relationship with his father. He spoke to E News reporter Zuri Hall on the red carpet of the recently concluded Golden Globes 2026. Hall asked him, “How long have you been wanting to show audiences this more dramatic, vulnerable side of you?”
Johnson replied, “This story stuck with me because it was so personal. Over the past decade and a half, I’ve lost 15 friends to addiction and to suicide. And in a way, The Smashing Machine was a love letter to them, and also a love letter to those who are still here but still fighting. And if you’re struggling with addiction, struggling with mental health, or if you love someone who’s struggling with addiction like I did, then stay in the fight, because on the other side of that struggle is some sort of grace.”
Furthermore, the host asked, “What would you say was the most uncomfortable part of diving into this character in this world for you?” Johnson quipped, “We need tequila for that,” making the host chuckle.
The Rock then revealed that working on the biopic changed his perspective on his father, with whom he shared a complicated relationship in the past. He elaborated, “I thought I was an empathetic guy before the film. What the film pushed me to do was to be radically empathetic to those who are struggling, because I had a complicated relationship with the human being who struggled with addiction, and that’s my dad.”
Diving into something deeply personal, Johnson reminisced, “He’s no longer here, and he struggled with his addictions. So through this film, I learned a deeper level of empathy for people who are out there, who are struggling.”
