The Rock Report

Learn all about The Game Plan‘s wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Born: Dwayne Johnson, May 2, 1972, in Hayward, California.

Parents: Father — African-Canadian wrestler Rocky Johnson. Mother — Ata Maivia, the daughter of Samoan High Chief Peter Maivia.

Education: When Dwayne was in Grade 11 he moved from California to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and enrolled at Freedom High School, where his athletic abilities began to shine. He became a star football player and member of the track and field team.

After high school he attended the University of Miami in Florida, where he earned a spot on the football team as a defensive tackle. But an injury after his first year limited his playing time. He graduated with a degree in criminology and physiology.

First Job: In 1995 Dwayne signed a contact with the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders. However, he was used only on the practice squad and never played in a game. He was cut from the team less than a year later.

The WWE: Since his father and grandfather were wrestlers, Dwayne decided to give professional wrestling a try. He made his WWE debut in 1996 using the name Rocky Maivia. But in 1997 he changed his name to The Rock and played the role of a villain, which proved to be very popular with fans — the meaner The Rock acted, the more the fans loved him! He won seven WWE Championships and retired from the ring in 2004.

Acting: The Rock took up acting in 1999, but on his third film, The Rundown, he dropped The Rock name and went back to using his real name, Dwayne Johnson.