Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Through The Years

By Corey Atad. 2 May 2023 2:26 PM

From dominating pro wrestling to commanding the box office, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is one of the biggest stars on the planet.

On his 51st birthday, take trip with us through The Rock’s career and style evolution over the decades.

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Football Star
Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Before becoming a wrestler, Dwayne Johnson started his athletic career as a football player, playing as a defensive for the University of Miami, and signing with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL in 1995, though he was cut just two months into the season.
Getting In The Ring
Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
After cutting cut from the Stampeders, Johnson turned to pro wrestling, making his WWE debut in 1996 under the name Rocky Maiva, a combination of the ring names used by his father and grandfather, who were both wrestlers themselves.

In a reference to his lineage in the sport, Johnson was given the nickname "The Blue Chipper."

Climbing the WWE ranks, and catching flack from fans, Johnson changed his ring name to The Rock, setting him on the road to superstardom.
King Of The Ring
Photo: Steve Azzara/Corbis via Getty Images
By 2000, The Rock was one of the biggest stars in wrestling, earning fans through his sharp charisma, and his flashy style, including plenty of gold and metallic colours.
Scorpion King
Photo: Universal Pictures
After beginning to dominate in the ring, The Rock soon turned his attention to acting, appearing in "That '70s Show" and "Star Trek: Voyager".

His big break into movies came with 2001's "The Mummy Returns", in which he was infamously turned into a very unconvincing CGI character called The Scorpion King, which led to his own spin-off movie the next year.
Sunny Disposition
Photo: Jason Kirk/Getty Images
As he rose to fame in both wrestling and the movies, Johnson regularly kept a sunny disposition, with a style perfectly suited to L.A. and the beach life, regularly sporting coloured sunglasses.
Hollywood Star
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
Through the early '00s, Johnson continued his WWE career while becoming a bigger and bigger movie star thanks to films like "The Rundown", "Walking Tall" and more.

All the while, The Rock kept his style perfectly laidback whenever he hit the red carpet, often skipping the suit for a more relaxed look.
Cannes Bound
Photo: Pool BENAINOUS/CATARINA/LEGRAND/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
After departing the WWE in 2004, The Rock put all his focus on his film career, racking up a number of big roles in movies like "Doom" and "Gridiron Gang", and even taking a trip to the Cannes Film Festival with director Richard Kelly's 2006 apocalyptic epic "Southland Tales".
The Rock vs. John Cena
Photo: George Napolitano/FilmMagic
Despite leaving the WWE, The Rock kept one foot in the world of pro wrestling, and returned to host WrestleMania in 2011, where he struck up a feud with rival star John Cena, even getting back in the ring against his foe.

He lost the WWE Championship to Cena at WrestleMania 29.
Fast & Furious
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Johnson was all suited up on the promotional tour for his biggest Hollywood break yet, in 2011, when he starred as Luke Hobbs in the blockbuster "Fast Five". The movie was one of the highest-grossing of the year, and helped turn The Rock into a reliable face at the box office.

It also set him up for several more appearances in the "Fast & Furious" franchise, including his spin-off "Hobbs & Shaw".
No Pain, No Gain
Photo: Troy Rizzo/FilmMagic
The Rock appeared in five movies in 2013, including "Snitch", "G.I. Joe: Retaliation", "Fast & Furious 6" and "Empire State", as well as Michael Bay's raucous satire "Pain & Gain".

He showed his support for the film with a typically cool leather jacket look on the red carpet.
Polynesian Style
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In 2016, Johnson starred in the Disney animated hit "Moana", drawing on his Samoan heritage for his role as Maui, a legendary demigod.

He backed it up on the red carpet with some funky style in keeping with the family fun.
Oscars Style
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
At the eventful 2017 Oscars (where "La La Land" was mistakenly handed the Best Picture Prize), Johnson impressed with a flashy, blue velvet jacket and bow tie.
The Next Level
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage
Johnson took his style game to the next level while promoting "Jumanji: The Next Level" in 2019, rocking an eye-popping blue floral suit.
Back In Time
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After producing and starring in the HBO series "Ballers", Johnson produced the sitcom "Young Rock", based on his own life.

The Rock starred in scenes from the show set in the present, while actors Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant and Uli Latukefu put on their retro Johnson best to play the younger version of the superstar.
Back To The Jungle
Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
In 2021, Dwayne Johnson starred with Emily Blunt in Disney's "Jungle Cruise", and he looked killer in earthy stripes while out promoting the blockbuster.
Black Adam
Photo: Pablo Cuadra/WireImage
After years of trying to get a "Black Adam" film off the ground, Johnson finally realized his dream with the DC superhero movie's release in fall 2022.

The actor celebrated in style, literally, pulling off some excellent looks, including an appearance in Madrid, where he rocked a great button-down shirt and classic aviators.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Through The Years

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