Dwayne Douglas Johnson, also known as The Rock, was born on May 2, 1972 in Hayward, California, to Ata Johnson (born Feagaimaleata Fitisemanu Maivia) and Canadian-born professional wrestler Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles). His father is black (of Black Nova Scotian descent), and his mother is of Samoan background (her own father was Peter Fanene Maivia, also a professional wrestler). While growing up, Dwayne traveled around a lot with his parents and watched his father perform in the ring. During his high school years, Dwayne began playing football and he soon received a full scholarship from the University of Miami, where he had tremendous success as a football player. In 1995, Dwayne suffered a back injury which cost him a place in the NFL. He then signed a three-year deal with the Canadian League but left after a year to pursue a career in wrestling.

He made his wrestling debut in the USWA under the name Flex Kavanah where he won the tag team championship with Brett Sawyer. In 1996, Dwayne joined the WWE and became Rocky Maivia where he joined a group known as "The Nation of Domination" and turned heel. Rocky eventually took over leadership of the "Nation" and began taking the persona of The Rock. After the "Nation" split, The Rock joined another elite group of wrestlers known as the "Corporation" and began a memorable feud with Steve Austin. Soon the Rock was kicked out of the "Corporation". He turned face and became known as "The Peoples Champion". In 2000, the Rock took time off from WWE to film his appearance in The Mummy Returns. He returned in 2001 during the WCW/ECW invasion where he joined a team of WWE wrestlers at The Scorpion King, a prequel to The Mummy Returns.

Dwayne has a daughter, Simone Alexandra, born in 2001, with his ex-wife Dany Garcia, and a daughter, Jasmine, born in 2015, with his partner, singer and songwriter Lauren Hashian.

With film revenues exceeding $2 billion worldwide, Dwayne Johnson has solidified himself as a global box-office powerhouse in both film and television. Recent projects include the summer blockbuster San Andreas for Warner Bros. and the critically acclaimed Ballers for HBO, directed by Peter Berg. Also adding to a slew of tentpole films in 2016, Johnson recently completed filming Central Intelligence opposite Kevin Hart for New Line and is attached to the big-screen adaptation of Baywatch, as well as the remake of the cult classic Big Trouble in Little China for Fox and The Janson Directive for Universal. Also upcoming in 2016, Johnson will lend his voice to the new Disney animated film Moana.

Previously, Johnson was a part of the competitive sports entertainment world, WWE. His character, “The Rock,” became one of the most charismatic and dynamic characters the industry has ever seen. In March 2012, Johnson made a record-breaking return to the WWE where he crushed John Cena at Wrestle Mania XXVIII in Miami.

Not content to simply be in front of the camera, Johnson penned an autobiography, The Rock Says, which reached No. 1 on The New York Times Best Seller list shortly after its publication in January 2000. A dedicated philanthropist, Johnson created the Rock Foundation in 2006, with a mission to educate, empower, and motivate children worldwide through health and physical fitness; he is the current national spokesperson for the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Diabetes Aware Campaign; a committed Celebrity Cabinet Member for the American Red Cross; and serves as a National Celebrity Wish Ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2008, the United States Congress and the United States Joint Leadership Commission recognized Johnson with the prestigious Horizon Award, the U.S. Congressional Award given to an individual in the private sector who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and provided opportunities for youth nationwide.

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