Following a number of successful leading roles in his post-wrestling career, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is now set to join an ever-growing list of actors making the leap to comic book films.
Johnson is set to join the DC Comics film universe (DCEU) in ‘Black Adam’ where he will appear as the titular lead. Best known as being a main antagonist for the hero Shazam, Black Adam’s arrival was teased in a post-credits scene to the 2019 film. The film is scheduled for release on October 21st, 2022.
Check out our slideshow to see photos of Johnson, learn more about Dwayne’s past and other interesting facts about the actor and former pro wrestler.
15 things you might not know about Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson arrives at the People's Choice Awards on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
1. He’s turning 50 this year
Dwayne Johnson was born May 2, 1972.
2. He’s from California
Johnson was born in Hayward, California. Hayward is on the east side of the San Francisco Bay, approximately midway between Oakland and San Jose
NOVEMBER 20: Defensive end Dwayne Johnson #94 of the University of Miami Hurricanes raises his arms as he and his teammates leave the field during the NCAA game against West Virginia University on November 20, 1993. Dwayne Johnson is also known as "The Rock" of World Wrestling Federation. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) Getty Images
3. He was a national champ in football
Johnson played football at the University of Miami as a defensive lineman. The team was AP National Champions in 1991. Some of his teammates included Warren Sapp and Ray Lewis.
4. He played pro ball in Canada
Dwayne went undrafted by the NFL and signed a contract with Calgary in the CFL. Doug Flutie was also on the team. He was cut during his first season.
Dwayne Johnson with Parents Ata Johnson and Rocky Johnson at his Hand And Footprint Ceremony held at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
5. He followed in the family tradition of becoming a pro wrestler
Johnson’s father was wrestler Rocky Johnson
U.S. actor and professional wrestler Dwayne Johnson holds a his champion belt during the world premiere event of his new film "G. I. Joe: Retaliation" in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, March 11, 2013. Johnson is here to promote the film which is to be released in South Korea on March 28. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)AP
6. A star is born
After joining the WWF in 1996, Johnson wrestled under several different names and gimmicks before winning his first championship in 1998.
7. He’s done TV shows too
Early in his acting career, The Rock made appearances in 2 popular TV shows, ‘That ‘70s Show’ and ‘Star Trek: Voyager’ and, more recently, he starred in the HBO series ‘Ballers’ in addition to the NBC show based on his life, ‘Young Rock’
395220 05: Actor Arnold Vosloo (L) and Dwayne Johnson (R), aka "The Rock," stand onstage to promote a special DVD and home video release of the movie "The Mummy Returns" October 3, 2001 in Santa Monica, CA. (Photo by Jason Kirk/Getty Images)Getty Images
8. His first leading role
After appearing in ‘The Mummy Returns’ in 2001, Johnson got is first shot at a starring role in the prequel film ‘The Scorpion King’ which grossed almost $180M worldwide. He was paid more than $5 million for the role.
Emily Blunt, left, and Dwayne Johnson, cast members in "Jungle Cruise," pose together at the world premiere of the film, Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
9. He’s had numerous starring roles since
Johnson has been part of some of the biggest film properties in recent years. In addition to playing Hobbs in the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise, he played Mitch in the movie adaptation of ‘Baywatch,’ Roadblock in the ‘G.I. Joe’ sequel and has also starred numerous Disney films like ‘Jungle Cruise.’
Actor Dwayne Johnson, left, and Auli'i Cravalho arrive at the 2016 AFI Fest - "Moana" World Premiere at El Capitan Theatre on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP
10. Vocal talents
In addition to his acting roles, Johnson has also voiced multiple animated characters, most notably Maui in Disney’s ‘Moana’
11. Music videos
Dwayne’s acting credits also include participating in music videos for celebrities like Taylor Swift and Method Man.
12. He’s a best-selling author
Dwayne’s autobiography ‘The Rock Says…’ spent multiple weeks atop the NY Times bestsellers list.
Dwayne Johnson poses for a photo at a ceremony honoring him with a star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP
13. He’s a “star”
Johnson was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017.
14. He’s a business owner
Johnson and his business partner purchased the XFL in 2020. The league plans to resume play in 2022.
Actor Dwayne Johnson poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Jumanji The Next Level', in central London, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP
15. What’s next for Dwayne?
In addition to ‘Black Adam,’ Johnson’s other upcoming film works include a sequel to ‘San Andreas’ and a role as King Kamehameha.
Prior celebrity fun facts (Associated Press)
Celebrity fun facts
Reese Witherspoon | Gal Gadot | Emilia Clarke | Sophie Turner
Robert Downey Jr. | Chris Hemsworth | Seth MacFarlane
Jason Momoa | Amanda Seyfried | Kat Dennings
Jenna Fischer | Miley Cyrus | Emma Stone | Mark Hamill
Emma Watson | Sarah Michelle Gellar | Tiffani Amber Thiessen
Scarlett Johansson | Kate Mara | Jennifer Aniston | Alan Alda
Jennifer Lawrence & Mila Kunis | David Hasselhoff
Lindsay Lohan | Natalie Portman | George Clooney
Betty White | Dave Matthews | Danica McKellar | Taylor Swift
Britney Spears | Bill Nye | Alyson Hannigan | Alec Baldwin
Rachel McAdams | Demi Moore | Julia Roberts
Danielle Fishel and the ‘Boy Meets World’ cast
A look at prior movie and tv-related fun fact lists (Associated Press)
Movie and TV fun facts & more
In memoriam: Celebrities who died in 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018
The Royal Family: Who is next in line for the British Throne?
88 celebrities who were born in Canada
15 celebrities who appeared on ‘Saved By the Bell’
‘The Office’ fun facts | 30 guest stars on ‘The Office’
10 famous directors who shot episodes of ‘The Office’
25 fun facts about ‘Friends’ | 25 celebs who appeared on ‘Friends’
25 actors you didn’t know were on ‘Game of Thrones’
25 actors you didn’t know appeared in ‘Boy Meets World’
More movie fun facts: ‘Love Actually’ | ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ | ‘Dirty Dancing’ | ‘Scream’ | ‘Romeo + Juliet’ | ‘The Big Lebowski’ | ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ | ‘The Phantom Menace’
Relive your childhood with these 120 Hanna-Barbera cartoons
Want to see more celebrity birthdays as well as additional fun facts posts? Follow me on Facebook for the latest by clicking the “like” button below.