Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson may be one of the highest-paid actors in the world, but he hasn’t forgotten his roots.
During a recent appearance on the THR Actor Roundtable, Johnson opened up about how his background in professional wrestling shaped his approach to acting. Sitting alongside peers like Adam Sandler, Jacob Elordi, and Michael B. Jordan, the former WWE Champion explained that the live environment of wrestling was the ultimate training ground.
“In wrestling, it’s very big and over the top as you’re performing for everybody for a stadium. But I think probably one of the main takeaways from wrestling was it really forced me live… it’s almost like a forcing mechanism to listen,” Johnson said.
He elaborated that the need to react to a live crowd kept him sharp, a skill that translated directly to his film career.
“To really make sure that you’re really honing in on that skill set of just really listening to the audience and keeping you on your toes.”
Johnson also touched on his transition from the ring to the screen in the early 2000s, attributing his path to “destiny” and a desire for growth. Now, with nearly 50 films under his belt and a recent Golden Globe nomination for his dramatic turn in The Smashing Machine, it’s clear that the lessons learned in the squared circle have paid off.
