Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently opened up about the difficult final days he shared with his father, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson. During an appearance on the Artist Friendly with Joel Madden podcast, the Hollywood megastar reflected on the complicated dynamic between them and the regret he carries regarding their last interaction.
A Strained Relationship
Johnson admitted that he never had a particularly close bond with his father, who was known for showing him tough love throughout his life. He revealed that their relationship was often strenuous, culminating in a severe falling out just weeks before Rocky Johnson’s death.
“We got into this huge fight Christmas 2019. It was awful. One of the biggest fights we ever got into about some just some stupid [stuff],” Johnson said. “And then about a month later, he passed away. And we weren’t talking.”
Unresolved Issues
The tension between the two remained unresolved when Rocky Johnson passed away on January 15, 2020, at the age of 75. The wrestling legend died from a pulmonary embolism caused by a blood clot in his leg at his home in Lutz, Florida, a residence Dwayne had purchased for him. The complex nature of their relationship was later depicted in the NBC series Young Rock, which looked at Johnson’s upbringing and his father’s influence on his career.
Rocky Johnson was a trailblazer in the wrestling industry, becoming the first African American WWF World Tag Team Champion alongside Tony Atlas. Dwayne inducted his father into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.
Johnson is currently preparing for a busy 2026, with several major film projects on the horizon. He will reprise his role as Maui in the live-action adaptation of Moana, set for release on July 10, 2026. Additionally, he is expected to return as Hobbs in Fast X: Part 2 and will star in Jumanji 3, which is slated for a December 11, 2026 release.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Artist Friendly with Joel Madden with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
