Childhood and Education Journey of Dwayne Johnson in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Dwayne Johnson. From birth to education, explore key events.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is an American actor, professional wrestler, and businessman. He gained prominence in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) during the Attitude Era before transitioning to a successful acting career. His films have grossed billions worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing and highest-paid actors. Beyond entertainment, Johnson is a co-owner of the United Football League, a board member of TKO Group Holdings (parent company of UFC and WWE), and co-founder of Seven Bucks Productions.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

May 2, 1972: Dwayne Johnson's Birth

On May 2, 1972, Dwayne Douglas Johnson, famously known as The Rock, was born. He would later become a successful actor and professional wrestler.

1982: Grandmother Takes Over Polynesian Pacific Pro Wrestling

In 1982, Johnson's maternal grandmother Lia took over Polynesian Pacific Pro Wrestling after her husband's death.

1988: Grandmother Managed Polynesian Pacific Pro Wrestling

From 1982 until 1988, Johnson's maternal grandmother Lia managed Polynesian Pacific Pro Wrestling.

1990: Graduation from Freedom High School

In 1990, Dwayne Johnson graduated from Freedom High School in Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania.

1991: Member of Miami's National Championship Team

In 1991, Dwayne Johnson played as a backup player for the University of Miami's football team, which won the national championship that year.

1995: Graduation with a Bachelor of General Studies

In 1995, Dwayne Johnson graduated with a Bachelor of General Studies and a dual major in criminology and physiology from the University of Miami.

1996: Start of Professional Wrestling Career

In 1996, Dwayne Johnson began his professional wrestling career after securing tryout matches with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He also wrestled in the USWA and won the USWA Tag Team Championship twice before signing with the WWF.

1996: Signing with the WWF

In 1996, Dwayne Johnson's father helped him secure a contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), marking the beginning of his professional wrestling career.

May 3, 1997: Marriage to Dany Garcia

On May 3, 1997, Dwayne Johnson married Dany Garcia, a businesswoman, bodybuilder, and producer.

1997: Feud with Austin and Shamrock

At the end of 1997, The Rock was involved in a feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin and Ken Shamrock.

1998: Feud with Triple H and D-Generation X

In 1998, The Rock and the Nation of Domination feuded with Triple H and D-Generation X (DX), culminating in matches at King of the Ring and SummerSlam where he lost the Intercontinental Championship to Triple H.

1998: Turning Heel and Joining the Nation of Domination

In August 1998, Rocky Maivia turned heel by lashing out at fans and joining the Nation of Domination, referring to himself as "The Rock".

1998: Increased Fan Support and Babyface Turn

In the latter half of 1998, The Rock saw a big uptick in fan support, consolidating his famous persona and turning babyface. He feuded with Nation members Mark Henry and D'Lo Brown.

2000: Speaking Role at Republican National Convention

In 2000, as part of WWE's "Smackdown Your Vote" campaign, Dwayne Johnson had a speaking role at the 2000 Republican National Convention and attended the 2000 Democratic National Convention.

2000: Consolidating Famous Persona

The Rock's persona consolidated and lasted until 2000.

August 14, 2001: Birth of Daughter Simone

On August 14, 2001, Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia's daughter, Simone, was born in Davie, Florida.

January 30, 2003: The Rock Returns and Turns Heel

On January 30, 2003, The Rock returned on SmackDown! to set up another match with Hulk Hogan. Due to negative fan reaction, The Rock turned heel for the first time since 1999 and adopted a new persona called Hollywood Rock.

2003: Samoan Peʻa Tattoo

In 2003, Dwayne Johnson got a partial Samoan Peʻa tattoo on his left side.

August 2004: Receiving Noble Title Seiuli

In August 2004, Dwayne Johnson was given the noble title Seiuli by Malietoa Tanumafili II in recognition of his service to the Samoan people.

2004: Leaving WWE

In 2004, Dwayne Johnson left the WWE to focus on his acting career.

2006: Founding of the Dwayne Johnson Rock Foundation

In 2006, Dwayne Johnson founded the Dwayne Johnson Rock Foundation, a charity working with at-risk and terminally ill children.

2006: Meeting Lauren Hashian

In 2006, Dwayne Johnson met Lauren Hashian while filming "The Game Plan".

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June 1, 2007: Announcement of Separation from Dany Garcia

On June 1, 2007, Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia announced they were separating amicably.

2007: Donation to the University of Miami

In 2007, Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia donated $1 million to the University of Miami to support the renovation of its football facilities, which were renamed in his honor.

2007: Beginning Relationship with Lauren Hashian

In 2007, Dwayne Johnson began dating Lauren Hashian, daughter of Sib Hashian.

March 29, 2008: The Rock Inducts Father and Grandfather into WWE Hall of Fame

On March 29, 2008, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson inducted his father Rocky Johnson and grandfather Peter Maivia into the WWE Hall of Fame.

May 2008: Finalization of Divorce from Dany Garcia

In May 2008, the divorce between Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia was finalized.

2008: Voting for Barack Obama

In 2008, Dwayne Johnson voted for Barack Obama.

September 30, 2009: The Rock Supports Sarona Snuka's Wrestling Debut

On September 30, 2009, The Rock appeared at a World Xtreme Wrestling (WXW) show to support the professional wrestling debut of Sarona Snuka, the daughter of his longtime friend and mentor Jimmy Snuka.

2009: Obtainment of Canadian Citizenship

In 2009, Dwayne Johnson obtained Canadian citizenship through his father's birth and citizenship there.

2011: Return to WWE

In 2011, Dwayne Johnson returned to WWE as a part-time performer.

2012: Voting for Barack Obama

In 2012, Dwayne Johnson voted for Barack Obama.

2013: Part-time Performer in WWE

From 2011 to 2013, Dwayne Johnson worked as a part-time performer in WWE.

2015: Donation to Abandoned Dog's Surgery

In 2015, Dwayne Johnson donated $1,500 to the GoFundMe for an abandoned dog's lifesaving surgery after actress Michelle Trachtenberg tagged him in a tweet.

March 2016: Partnership with Under Armour and Release of Project Rock

In March 2016, Dwayne Johnson partnered with Under Armour to release "Project Rock", starting with a gym bag that sold out in days.

Under Armour Men's Project Rock Blood Sweat Respect 4, (001) Black/Castlerock/White, 12, US

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2016: Did Not Vote

In 2016, Dwayne Johnson did not vote.

2016: YouTube Channel Launch

In 2016, Dwayne Johnson started his YouTube channel with the video "The YouTube Factory", featuring Lilly Singh and other internet stars.

2017: Independent Voter

As of 2017, Dwayne Johnson was an independent voter.

2017: Donation to Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts

In 2017, Dwayne Johnson donated $25,000 to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

2017: Tattoo Modification

In 2017, Dwayne Johnson had the small "Brahma bull" tattoo on his right arm covered with a larger half-sleeve tattoo of a bull's skull.

2018: Donation of a Gym to Military Base in Oahu

In 2018, Dwayne Johnson donated a gym to a military base in Oahu, Hawaii.

August 3, 2019: The Rock Announces Retirement from Wrestling

On August 3, 2019, The Rock officially announced his retirement from professional wrestling.

August 18, 2019: Marriage to Lauren Hashian

On August 18, 2019, Dwayne Johnson and Lauren Hashian married in Hawaii.

2019: Announcement of Athleticon Bodybuilding Show

In 2019, Dwayne Johnson announced he would launch a competitive bodybuilding show, "Athleticon", with Dany Garcia.

2019: Retirement from WWE

In 2019, Dwayne Johnson retired from WWE.

February 2020: Daughter Simone Starts WWE Training

In February 2020, WWE announced that Dwayne Johnson's daughter Simone had started training at the WWE Performance Center.

March 2020: Teremana Tequila Launch

In March 2020, Dwayne Johnson launched Teremana Tequila, which sold 600,000 nine-litre cases in its first year and is valued at approximately $3.5 billion.

August 2020: Acquisition of the XFL

In August 2020, Dwayne Johnson, along with partners and investors, purchased the XFL for $15 million and announced plans for its relaunch.

October 2020: Disruption of Athleticon Debut

In October 2020, plans for the debut of "Athleticon" in Atlanta, Georgia were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Endorsement of Joe Biden

In 2020, Dwayne Johnson endorsed Joe Biden.

February 2021: Consideration of Presidential Run

In February 2021, Dwayne Johnson told USA Today that he would "consider a presidential run in the future if that's what the people wanted".

April 2021: Goal to Unite the Country

Following an online poll, in April 2021, Dwayne Johnson told Today that he has the goal to unite the country and would run for president if the people wanted it.

2021: Support for Samoa National Rugby League Team

In 2021, Dwayne Johnson supported the Samoa national rugby league team during the Rugby League World Cup.

May 2022: Ring Name Announcement

In May 2022, Dwayne Johnson announced that his daughter Simone's ring name would be Ava Raine.

2022: Delayed Relaunch of the XFL

In 2022, the relaunch of the XFL was delayed by a year.

2023: Donation to SAG-AFTRA Foundation and Creation of People's Fund of Maui

In 2023, Dwayne Johnson made a seven-figure donation to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation during the strike and created the People's Fund of Maui with Oprah Winfrey in response to the Hawaii wildfires.

2023: Return to WWE

In 2023, Dwayne Johnson returned to WWE once again on a part-time basis.

December 31, 2023: Announcement of the United Football League (UFL)

On December 31, 2023, it was announced that the merged XFL and United States Football League would be called the United Football League (UFL).

March 30, 2024: UFL Launch

On March 30, 2024, the United Football League (UFL) is scheduled to start with 8 teams. Johnson owns 50% of the UFL together under XFL Properties LLC.

April 2024: Regret over Biden Endorsement

In April 2024, Dwayne Johnson told Fox News that he regretted endorsing Joe Biden due to the division it caused and refused to endorse anyone in 2024.

2024: The Rock joins The Bloodline

In 2024, The Rock joined Reigns' faction The Bloodline, debuting a new "Final Boss" persona and challenging Rhodes and Rollins at WrestleMania Night 1.