There is no wonder that Dwayne Johnson a.k.a “The Rock” is one of the most prolific superstars of Hollywood. His career has been on a continuous flight, soaring from one blockbuster movie to another. But, it wasn’t all sunshine and humor for the actor, as behind his critical success is a story of the battle against depression.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

He launched his career as a professional wrestler before shifting to acting after discovering his niche in the industry. At every point in life, the actor admitted to suffering mental health issues.

Dwayne Johnson Shares Major Struggles In Life Before Hollywood Fame

In an interview with The Pivot Podcast via AceShowbiz, Dwayne Johnson revealed the first time he experienced depression:

“My first battle with depression was down there in Miami. I didn’t want to go to school, I was ready to leave. I left school. I didn’t take any midterms and I just left. But the interesting thing at that time is, I just knew what depression was. I just knew I didn’t wanna be there.”

He was part of the school’s football team at the University of Miami. Johnson suffered an injury on his shoulder which rendered him useless for the games. He could no longer play and was later kicked out of the team.

As a teenager, he witnessed his parents struggle to afford basic needs. It also got worse to the point that they were evicted from their apartment. He told The Hollywood Reporter:

“We were living in an efficiency that cost $120 a week. We come home, and there’s a padlock on the door and an eviction notice. My mom starts bawling. She just started crying and breaking down.”

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

At 15, Johnson watched his mother, Ata, attempt suicide. She walked on to traffic with big trucks and cars incoming. He managed to pull her back to safety, and according to the actor, his mother does not even remember it (via The Daily Express):

“What’s crazy about that suicide attempt is that to this day, she has no recollection of it whatsoever. Probably best she doesn’t.”

The 51-year-old star confessed that he and his mother have healed from the traumatic experiences. He recalled finding his own strength gave him the willpower to live and persevere.

Reborn As The Rock, Dwayne Johnson Becomes An International Icon

After his failed attempt at becoming a football star, Dwayne Johnson tried his luck with wrestling. He took the name “Rocky Maivia,” which was derived from his father’s and grandfather’s names. His debut in the industry was a little rough, as fans never liked his nice-guy image. He, later on, reinvented himself into a bad boy and became “The Rock.”

He went on to become one of the most renowned wrestlers in the world and made a lot of money from his numerous championship wins. He told THR:

“I loved the showmanship, and I loved the theatricality. It was so entertaining and over-the-top, and I was always mesmerized by these guys.”

Dwayne Johnson in Jumanji

In 2000, a hosting stint at Saturday Night Live paved the way for him to star in 2001’s The Mummy Returns, the project that kick-started his acting career in Hollywood. Now, with his lengthy movie credits ranging from action thriller to superhero movies, the former professional wrestler-turned-actor seems to have done it all.

Some of Dwayne Johnson’s famous projects include The Scorpion King (2002), Get Smart (2008), Fast Five (2011), San Andreas (2015), Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), and Black Adam (2022).

Sources: The Pivot Podcast via AceShowbiz, THR, Daily Express