Ask anyone in Hollywood, and they will all tell you the same thing: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a pretty fantastic guy. Turns out, the rest of us think so, too. Recently, The Profile declared The Rock ‘the most likable person in the world.’ (1)
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Most Likeable Person in the World
“It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” (2)
This is the quote that turned everyone’s favorite actor’s life around. That’s right, Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, wasn’t always the most likable person. In fact, he really wasn’t very nice at all. (1)
The Rock’s childhood and adolescence were anything but easy. His father Rocky was a professional wrestler, so the family moved whenever and to wherever he had a new gig. They had very little money, were evicted from their apartment, and even their car had to be repossessed. (1)
His family’s struggles lead Johnson to a variety of bad behaviors. He was arrested several times throughout his teenage years, for everything from forging checks, to stealing and fighting.
It was during a two-week suspension from school when he first read the quote above that he says changed his mindset and work ethic. (2) Then, he got a little help from someone who saw his potential. (1)
More Than Just a Coach
His high school football coach Jody Cwik noticed Johnson: A very tall, sturdy, athletically-built young man, and knew that he had potential in the sport. High school football acted as a catalyst to propel Johnson forward in his life. (1)
“My grades got better, and I started getting recruited from every college across the country,” he says. “My thought process started to change. That’s when I started thinking about goals and what I wanted to accomplish.” (1)
The Rock went on to play football for the University of Miami where he earned a four-year degree. It wasn’t all easy street, however. He was not drafted to the NFL and was cut from the CFL not long after starting. (1)
He was forced to move back in with his parents and start all over. (1)
His Father’s Footsteps
As we all know now, along with his incredible athleticism, The Rock is a talented actor. He took those skills with him into the wrestling ring and became the most famous TV wrestler in the industry. (1)
TV wrestling helped him break into show biz, where he first played the Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns. It’s his kindness, personality, and general likeability, however, that now has everyone in Hollywood clambering to work with him. (1)
“In 1995, I had $7 bucks in my pocket and knew two things: I’m broke as hell and one day I won’t be,” he told The Profile. (1)
Certainly not: Today, Johnson is the highest-paid actor in the world, making more than $20 million per movie. (1) Why? Well, the fans love him – male, female, young, and old. (1) Almost more importantly, people love working with him because he’s kind, hard-working, and simply easy to be around.
Life Is Better When You’re Kind
So while not all of us may have the fame to become the most likeable person in the world, we can strive to be the most likable person in our own circles: In our families, friend groups, workplaces, and more. If we all lived with that mindset, the whole world would be a better place.
Keep Reading: Always Be Grateful For What You Have No Matter How Hard Life Gets
References
- “The Profile Dossier: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, the Most Likable Person In the World.” The Profile. Polina Marinova. December 23, 2020.
- “The Rock.” Instagram.
