Actor and former wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has opened up about the complicated, and at times painful, relationship he shared with his late father, wrestling legend Rocky “Soulman” Johnson.

Speaking candidly at the Venice Film Festival, Johnson revealed that while preparing for his latest film role, he struggled to draw on his father’s example when exploring themes of tenderness and emotional vulnerability.

“I don’t think my dad was an inspiration in terms of his tenderness. It wasn’t really my dad,” he said. “He was homeless by the time he was 13, so his capacity for love was very limited — and that’s the man that raised me.”

A Final Falling Out

The relationship between the two had its highs and lows, but a heated phone call on Christmas Eve in 2019 marked their last conversation. Tragically, they weren’t on speaking terms when Rocky Johnson died just weeks later, in early 2020, at the age of 75.

Johnson has since reflected deeply on that unresolved tension. In a heartfelt social media post, he shared the emotional weight of that loss:

“Man, I just wish I could hug him one more time, kiss him on the cheek and look him in the eyes and say, ‘We’re good.’ All that other s**t… it really doesn’t matter when they’re gone.”

The Call That Changed Everything

Johnson recalled receiving the devastating news of his father’s death just days before he had to deliver his eulogy — an experience that forced him to confront their unresolved conflict.

The moment became a turning point for the star, who now encourages others to reconnect with loved ones before it’s too late:

“If you’ve got your old man around, get uncomfortable, pull him aside and try to squash things. In the effort of trying, you reach a new place of love.”

Gratitude in Hindsight

Despite the emotional distance between them, Johnson acknowledged that his father gave him tools that shaped his life — particularly his values of hard work and discipline.

“Those two anchors have taken me so far,” he said. “Some of the other s**t, I don’t want to do, but I thank him for those lessons too. Even with his limited capacity, he loved me with all he had. I didn’t realize that until much later in life.”

Dwayne Johnson’s reflections are a raw and powerful reminder that even imperfect relationships can leave lasting legacies — and that it’s never too late to try to find peace, even if it’s just within ourselves.