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 fame as a wrestler in the WWE during the Attitude Era and is considered one of the greatest of all time. Transitioning to acting, Johnson became one of the highest-grossing actors, with his films earning over $11.4 billion globally. Beyond entertainment, he is a co-owner of the United Football League, a board member of TKO Group Holdings (UFC and WWE parent company), and co-founder of Seven Bucks Productions, demonstrating his entrepreneurial ventures.
May 2, 1972: Dwayne Johnson Born
On May 2, 1972, Dwayne Douglas Johnson, famously known as "The Rock", was born. He later became an American actor, professional wrestler, and businessman.
1982: Maternal grandmother took over Polynesian Pacific Pro Wrestling
In 1982, Johnson's maternal grandmother, Lia Maivia, took over Polynesian Pacific Pro Wrestling after her husband's death.
1983: Father and Tony Atlas became the first black tag team champions in WWE history
In 1983, Dwayne Johnson's father and Tony Atlas became the first black tag team champions in WWE history.
1988: Maternal grandmother managed Polynesian Pacific Pro Wrestling
Until 1988, Johnson's maternal grandmother, Lia Maivia, managed Polynesian Pacific Pro Wrestling, after taking over in 1982.
1990: Graduation from Freedom High School
In 1990, Dwayne Johnson graduated from Freedom High School in Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania.
1991: Miami Hurricanes National Championship Team
In 1991, Dwayne Johnson was a member of the Miami Hurricanes team that won the national championship.
1991: National Championship Team Member
In 1991, Dwayne Johnson was a member of the University of Miami's national championship football team as a backup player.
1995: Graduation from University of Miami
In 1995, Dwayne Johnson graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of General Studies and a dual major in criminology and physiology. He also gave motivational speeches.
1995: Undrafted and Signed with Calgary Stampeders
In 1995, Dwayne Johnson went undrafted in the NFL draft. He signed with the Calgary Stampeders but was cut during his first season.
1995: Signed by Calgary Stampeders
In 1995, after graduating, Dwayne Johnson was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League as a linebacker but was cut two months into the season.
November 4, 1996: WWF Debut
On November 4, 1996, Dwayne Johnson made his WWF debut on Monday Night Raw as Rocky Maivia, a combination of his father and grandfather's ring names, joining Marc Mero's entourage.
1996: WWF Contract Secured
In 1996, Dwayne Johnson's father helped him secure a contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
1996: Start of Professional Wrestling Career
In 1996, after being cut by Calgary, Dwayne Johnson began his professional wrestling career with tryout matches for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), wrestling under his real name. He then wrestled in the United States Wrestling Association as Flex Kavana, winning the USWA tag team championship twice. Later in 1996, he signed a WWF contract.
February 13, 1997: Intercontinental Championship Win
On February 13, 1997, Rocky Maivia won the Intercontinental Championship from Hunter Hearst Helmsley on Monday Night Raw.
May 3, 1997: Marriage to Dany Garcia
On May 3, 1997, Dwayne Johnson married Dany Garcia. She is a businesswoman, International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation professional bodybuilder, and producer.
1997: Feud with Steve Austin and Ken Shamrock
Through the end of 1997, The Rock feuded with Stone Cold Steve Austin and Ken Shamrock.
January 19, 1998: Retained Intercontinental Championship Against Shamrock
On January 19, 1998, at the Royal Rumble, The Rock defeated Ken Shamrock by disqualification to retain the Intercontinental Championship.
1998: Heel Turn and Joining the Nation of Domination
In August 1998, Rocky Maivia turned heel by lashing out at fans and joining Faarooq, D'Lo Brown, and Kama in the stable called the Nation of Domination. He then referred to himself as The Rock.
1998: Increased Fan Support and Persona Consolidation
In the latter half of 1998, The Rock saw a big uptick in fan support and started consolidating his famous persona.
January 4, 1999: Mankind Defeats The Rock for Championship
On January 4, 1999, Mankind defeated The Rock for the championship after interference from Stone Cold Steve Austin during an episode of Raw Is War.
2000: The Rock Says Released
In 2000, Dwayne Johnson's autobiography, "The Rock Says", was released and became a New York Times bestseller.
2000: Speaking Role at Republican and Democratic National Conventions
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: Consolidated Famous Persona
The Rock consolidated his famous persona until 2000.
August 14, 2001: Birth of Daughter Simone
On August 14, 2001, Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia welcomed their daughter, Simone, who was born in Davie, Florida.
2001: First film role in "The Mummy Returns"
In 2001, Dwayne Johnson had his first film role in "The Mummy Returns".
January 30, 2003: Return on SmackDown!
On January 30, 2003, The Rock returned on an episode of SmackDown! to set up another match with Hulk Hogan. He also turned heel, adopting a new persona known as "Hollywood Rock", with a new look and a shaved head.
2003: Samoan Tattoo
In 2003, Dwayne Johnson received a partial Samoan Peʻa tattoo on his left side, reflecting his Samoan heritage.
August 2004: Noble Title Seiuli Received
In August 2004, Dwayne Johnson was bestowed the noble title Seiuli, meaning "son of Malietoa", by Malietoa Tanumafili II, recognizing his service to the Samoan people and his lineage from Samoan chiefs.
2004: Departure from WWE
In 2004, Dwayne Johnson left the WWE to pursue an acting career.
2006: Dwayne Johnson Rock Foundation Founded
In 2006, Dwayne Johnson founded the Dwayne Johnson Rock Foundation, a charity focused on assisting at-risk and terminally ill children.
2006: Meeting Lauren Hashian
In 2006, Dwayne Johnson met Lauren Hashian while filming "The Game Plan".
June 1, 2007: Separation Announcement
On June 1, 2007, Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia announced their amicable separation.
2007: Donation to University of Miami
In 2007, Dwayne Johnson and his then-wife, Dany Garcia, donated $1 million to the University of Miami to support the renovation of its football facilities. Consequently, the university renamed the Miami Hurricanes' locker room in his honor.
2007: Began Dating Lauren Hashian
In 2007, Dwayne Johnson began dating Lauren Hashian, the daughter of Sib Hashian, the drummer for the band Boston. They had met in 2006 while Johnson was filming "The Game Plan".
2007: Starred in "The Game Plan"
In 2007, Dwayne Johnson starred in the family film "The Game Plan".
March 29, 2008: WWE Hall of Fame Induction
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: Divorce Finalized
In May 2008, the divorce between Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia was finalized.
2008: Inducted Father and Grandfather into WWE Hall of Fame
In 2008, Dwayne Johnson inducted his father and grandfather into the WWE Hall of Fame.
2008: Starred in "Get Smart"
In 2008, Dwayne Johnson starred in the action comedy film "Get Smart".
2008: Voting for Barack Obama
In 2008, Dwayne Johnson voted for Barack Obama.
September 30, 2009: WXW Show Appearance
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 Jimmy Snuka.
2009: Canadian Citizenship
In 2009, Dwayne Johnson obtained Canadian citizenship due to his father's birth and citizenship in Canada.
2009: Starred in "Race to Witch Mountain"
In 2009, Dwayne Johnson starred in the film "Race to Witch Mountain".
2010: Starred in "Tooth Fairy"
In 2010, Dwayne Johnson starred in the family film "Tooth Fairy".
May 1, 2011: News Leak of Osama bin Laden's Death
On May 1, 2011, Dwayne Johnson was among the first to leak the news of Osama bin Laden's death via Twitter, shortly after the U.S. Navy SEALs operation, before the official announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama. He tweeted, "Just got word that will shock the world - Land of the free...home of the brave DAMN PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!"
2011: Return to WWE as Part-Time Performer
In 2011, Dwayne Johnson returned to WWE as a part-time performer.
2011: Starred in "Fast Five"
In 2011, Dwayne Johnson's role as Luke Hobbs in "Fast Five" helped the "Fast & Furious" franchise become one of the highest-grossing in film.
2012: Starred in "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island"
In 2012, Dwayne Johnson starred in the action film "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island".
2012: Voting for Barack Obama
In 2012, Dwayne Johnson voted for Barack Obama.
2013: Part-Time WWE Performer
In 2013, Dwayne Johnson continued as a part-time WWE performer, after returning in 2011.
2013: Starred in "G.I. Joe: Retaliation"
In 2013, Dwayne Johnson starred in the action film "G.I. Joe: Retaliation".
2014: Starred in "Hercules"
In 2014, Dwayne Johnson starred in the action film "Hercules".
2015: Produced and Starred in "Ballers"
In 2015, Dwayne Johnson produced and starred in the HBO comedy-drama series "Ballers".
2015: Starred in "San Andreas"
In 2015, Dwayne Johnson starred in the action film "San Andreas".
2015: Donation to Dog's Surgery
In 2015, after actress Michelle Trachtenberg tagged Dwayne Johnson in a tweet about an abandoned dog named after him, Johnson donated $1,500 to the GoFundMe campaign for the dog's surgery.
2016: Starred in "Central Intelligence" and Voiced Maui in "Moana"
In 2016, Dwayne Johnson starred in "Central Intelligence" and voiced Maui in the Disney animated film "Moana".
2017: Independent Voter
As of 2017, Dwayne Johnson was an independent voter.
2017: Tattoo Update
In 2017, Dwayne Johnson covered the small "Brahma bull" tattoo on his right arm with a larger half-sleeve tattoo of a bull's skull.
2017: Donation to Hurricane Harvey Relief
In 2017, Dwayne Johnson donated $25,000 to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts to support those affected by the natural disaster.
2017: Starred in "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" and "Baywatch"
In 2017, Dwayne Johnson starred in "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" and "Baywatch".
2018: Gym Donation to Military Base
In 2018, Dwayne Johnson donated a gym to a military base located in Oahu, Hawaii, to support the fitness and well-being of the service members.
2018: Starred in "Skyscraper" and "Rampage"
In 2018, Dwayne Johnson starred in the films "Skyscraper" and "Rampage".
August 18, 2019: Marriage to Lauren Hashian
On August 18, 2019, Dwayne Johnson married Lauren Hashian in Hawaii.
2019: WWE Retirement
In 2019, Dwayne Johnson retired from WWE, after sporadic appearances over the years.
2019: Starred in "Jumanji: The Next Level"
In 2019, Dwayne Johnson starred in "Jumanji: The Next Level".
February 2020: Daughter's WWE Training
In February 2020, WWE announced that Dwayne Johnson's daughter, Simone, began training at the WWE Performance Center, marking her as the first fourth-generation WWE wrestler.
2020: Endorsement of Joe Biden
In 2020, Dwayne Johnson endorsed Joe Biden.
February 2021: Presidential Run Consideration
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, Dwayne Johnson told Today in April 2021, "I do have that goal to unite our country and I also feel that if this is what the people want, then I will do that", regarding a potential presidential run.
2021: Produced and Starred in "Young Rock"
In 2021, Dwayne Johnson produced and starred in the autobiographical sitcom "Young Rock".
2021: Support for Samoa National Rugby League Team
In 2021, Dwayne Johnson publicly pledged his support to the Samoa national rugby league team during the Rugby League World Cup, as the team reached the finals for the first time.
2021: Starred in "Jungle Cruise" and "Red Notice"
In 2021, Dwayne Johnson starred in "Jungle Cruise" and "Red Notice".
May 2022: Ring Name Announcement
In May 2022, Dwayne Johnson announced that his daughter Simone's ring name would be Ava Raine.
2022: Starred in "Black Adam"
In 2022, Dwayne Johnson joined the DC Extended Universe by playing the title role in "Black Adam".
2023: Donations and Controversy
In 2023, Dwayne Johnson made a seven-figure donation to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation during the strike. Later, Johnson and Oprah Winfrey created the People's Fund of Maui after the Hawaii wildfires, each donating $5 million. This led to backlash due to their wealth, and Johnson apologized in October 2023.
2023: Return to WWE on a Part-Time Basis
In 2023, Dwayne Johnson returned to WWE once again on a part-time basis.
2023: Young Rock Ended
In 2023, the autobiographical sitcom "Young Rock" ended.
April 2024: Regret over Joe Biden Endorsement
In an April 2024 interview with Fox News, Dwayne Johnson expressed regret over his 2020 endorsement of Joe Biden, citing it caused division and refused to endorse anyone in 2024.
2024: Voicing Maui in "Moana 2"
In 2024, Dwayne Johnson is set to voice Maui in the Disney animated film "Moana 2".
2025: Starred in "The Smashing Machine"
In 2025, Dwayne Johnson received critical praise for his dramatic turn as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the sports biopic "The Smashing Machine".
2026: Reprising Role in Moana Live-Action Remake
In 2026, Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role as Maui in the live-action remake of "Moana".
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