Dwayne Johnson Says Late Dad Rocky ‘Completely Crossed the Line’ with Plagiarized Quotes for 2019 Autobiography

Dwayne Johnson Reveals Shocking Details About His Late Dad Rocky Johnson

Dwayne Johnson recently opened up in an interview about a strained relationship with his late father, Rocky Johnson, before his passing. Rocky Johnson, a former professional wrestler, passed away at the age of 75 in January 2020. Dwayne shared that a major point of contention between them was Rocky’s 2019 autobiography, “Soulman: The Rocky Johnson Story.”

In the revealing interview with The New York Times magazine, Dwayne disclosed that he was taken aback to discover that his father had included a foreword in the book that was falsely attributed to him. This revelation sparked a significant argument between the two in the weeks leading up to Rocky’s death. Dwayne expressed his disappointment, stating that the book contained misrepresentations of their father-son relationship.

Reflecting on his childhood and upbringing with his father, Dwayne remarked, “Growing up with my dad, I know the truth to all these stories. And they’re not in this book.” He emphasised that the discrepancies in the book crossed a line and described the situation as a product of his father’s attention-seeking behaviour and narcissism.

The Times reported that Dwayne confronted Rocky about the misleading foreword and took steps to have the autobiography removed from stores shortly after its publication. Despite their strained relationship, Dwayne continues to honour his father’s memory with tributes on social media, particularly on Rocky’s birthday each August and Father’s Day in June.

In a heartfelt Instagram post in 2023, Dwayne acknowledged the challenges in his relationship with his father but highlighted the valuable life lessons he had learned from Rocky. Despite their differences, Dwayne expressed admiration for his father’s ability to adapt to life’s challenges and credited him with instilling the same resilience in him.

The passing of Rocky Johnson was a profound loss for Dwayne, who recalled receiving the news of his father’s death while on the set of his Netflix movie, “Red Notice,” in 2021. Despite the complexities of their relationship, Dwayne fondly remembered his father as a supportive friend to many, although he acknowledged Rocky’s limitations in expressing love due to his tumultuous upbringing.

As Dwayne candidly shared his reflections on his father’s life and legacy, he painted a nuanced picture of a man who faced adversity and struggled to show love but left a lasting impact on those around him. The upcoming release of “The Smashing Machine,” a film in which Dwayne stars, adds another layer to his journey of processing his father’s complex legacy.

Dwayne Johnson’s story serves as a reminder of the complexities that can exist within family dynamics and the importance of understanding and forgiveness. Despite their disagreements and differences, Dwayne’s respect and love for his father shine through as he continues to navigate the complexities of their relationship even after Rocky’s passing.