Rock on! On Dwayne Johnson’s 45th birthday, take a look at his epic journey to stardom | Hollywood - Hindustan Times
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Rock on! On Dwayne Johnson’s 45th birthday, take a look at his epic journey to stardom

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
May 20, 2017 12:38 PM IST

On Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s 45th birthday, let’s take a look at his journey in the movies, and how he went from being a cheesy CGI character in The Scorpion King to leading franchises like the Fast and the Furious and Baywatch.

May 2 is Dwayne Johnson’s birthday. The wrestler-turned-star has seen a tremendous rise through the ranks over the years. Not too many wrestlers make smooth transitions to the world of films, but The Rock has not only established himself as one of the most bankable stars in the world, he has also become the highest-paid actor in the industry.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson turns 45 of May 2.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson turns 45 of May 2.

Johnson’s first leading film role was in The Scorpion King in 2002. For this role, he was paid US$5.5 million, a world record for an actor in his first starring role.He has since appeared in various films, and become known for his ability to reinvigorate film franchises; one of his more prominent roles is Luke Hobbs in The Fast and the Furious franchise, whose most recent film, The Fate of the Furious, was released in 2017.

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As the actor turns 45, and as we wait for Baywatch, in which he’ll star with Priyanka Chopra, let’s take a look at his journey from being a cheesy CGI character in The Scorpion King to leading numerous franchises on his massive shoulders.

The Scorpion King: A desert warrior rises up against the evil army that is destroying his homeland. He captures the enemy’s key sorcerer, takes her deep into the desert and prepares for a final showdown. (IMDb)
The Scorpion King: A desert warrior rises up against the evil army that is destroying his homeland. He captures the enemy’s key sorcerer, takes her deep into the desert and prepares for a final showdown. (IMDb)
The Rundown: A tough aspiring chef is hired to bring home a mobster’s son from the Amazon but becomes involved in the fight against an oppressive town operator and the search for a legendary treasure. (IMDb)
The Rundown: A tough aspiring chef is hired to bring home a mobster’s son from the Amazon but becomes involved in the fight against an oppressive town operator and the search for a legendary treasure. (IMDb)
Gridiron Gang: Teenagers at a juvenile detention centre, under the leadership of their counsellor, gain self-esteem by playing football together. (IMDb)
Gridiron Gang: Teenagers at a juvenile detention centre, under the leadership of their counsellor, gain self-esteem by playing football together. (IMDb)
Tooth Fairy: A bad deed on the part of a tough minor-league hockey player results in an unusual sentence: He must serve one week as a real-life tooth fairy. (IMDb)
Tooth Fairy: A bad deed on the part of a tough minor-league hockey player results in an unusual sentence: He must serve one week as a real-life tooth fairy. (IMDb)
Fast Five: Dominic Toretto and his crew of street racers plan a massive heist to buy their freedom while in the sights of a powerful Brazilian drug lord and a dangerous federal agent. (IMDb)
Fast Five: Dominic Toretto and his crew of street racers plan a massive heist to buy their freedom while in the sights of a powerful Brazilian drug lord and a dangerous federal agent. (IMDb)
Sean Anderson partners with his mom’s husband (The Rock) on a mission to find his grandfather, who is thought to be missing on a mythical island.
Sean Anderson partners with his mom’s husband (The Rock) on a mission to find his grandfather, who is thought to be missing on a mythical island.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation: The G.I. Joes are not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra; they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence. (IMDb)
G.I. Joe: Retaliation: The G.I. Joes are not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra; they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence. (IMDb)
Pain & Gain: A trio of bodybuilders in Florida get caught up in an extortion ring and a kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong. (IMDb)
Pain & Gain: A trio of bodybuilders in Florida get caught up in an extortion ring and a kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong. (IMDb)
San Andreas: In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a dangerous journey with his ex-wife across the state in order to rescue his daughter. (IMDb)
San Andreas: In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a dangerous journey with his ex-wife across the state in order to rescue his daughter. (IMDb)
Central Intelligence: After he reconnects with an awkward pal from high school through Facebook, a mild-mannered accountant is lured into the world of international espionage. (IMDb)
Central Intelligence: After he reconnects with an awkward pal from high school through Facebook, a mild-mannered accountant is lured into the world of international espionage. (IMDb)
Moana: In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the Demigod Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain’s daughter’s island, she answers the Ocean’s call to seek out the Demigod to set things right. (IMDb)
Moana: In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the Demigod Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain’s daughter’s island, she answers the Ocean’s call to seek out the Demigod to set things right. (IMDb)
Baywatch: Devoted lifeguard Mitch Buchanan butts heads with a brash new recruit. Together, they uncover a local criminal plot that threatens the future of the Bay. (IMDb)
Baywatch: Devoted lifeguard Mitch Buchanan butts heads with a brash new recruit. Together, they uncover a local criminal plot that threatens the future of the Bay. (IMDb)

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