On Friday, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was given the Trailblazer Award at the 4th annual Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards. In his speech, Johnson dedicated the award to his late father in an emotional and touching tribute.
Johnson was given the award after a short video was played that showcased his support for the Make-A-Wish Foundation as well as his donations to frontline workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s the anchoring reminder that if we’re lucky enough and fortunate enough to be in a position where you can make someone feel good and you can create moments for them that they will never forget for the rest of their lives — that is power,” Johnson said, confessing that he became “emotional” while watching the clip.
“It doesn’t matter what’s in your bank account, or what kind of car you drive. That s— doesn’t matter. It’s just how you make people feel,” he added.
That’s when Johnson shifted to talking about his late father.
“I’m going to dedicate this trailblazer award to my dad, my old man who died a little over a year ago,” he said. “Man, that guy was a trailblazer. As complicated as our relationship was — our father/son relationship, tough love, tough love — he was a trailblazer because what trailblazers do is change people’s behavior. And he did everything he could to send people home happy.”
Johnson’s late father Rocky, who was a WWE Hall of Famer, died in January of last year after suffering a heart attack at the age of 75. Rocky was born in Nova Scotia, Canada in 1944, and he began wrestling at the age of 16 before retiring 1991. He later trained his son to become a wrestler.
“Dad, I wish I had one more shot to tell you, I love you, before you crossed over to the other side,” Johnson said in an Instagram tribute just after his father passed away, according to People Magazine. “But you were ripped away from me so fast without warning. Gone in an instant and no coming back. Im in pain. But we know it’s just pain and it’ll pass.”
Once a professional wrestler himself, Johnson has since transitioned into a successful career as a movie star.
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