‘Holy S–t Was He Cool.’ The Rock Remembers The One Single Moment He Knew He Wanted To Be An Actor, And Harrison Ford Was Involved

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Before collaborating with Martin Scorsese or reprising his role as Maui in the upcoming live-action “Moana”, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was simply a kid from Charlotte, North Carolina, who spent hours in a cinema, leaning back and staring at the screen, captivated by the movies. Today, he’s one of the most prominent actors on the 2025 film schedule and beyond. However, it wasn’t just about the glamour and fame. He attributes a pivotal moment in his childhood, undeniably linked to Harrison Ford, as the catalyst that put him on the path to becoming the wrestling icon and box-office star with numerous upcoming movie projects we recognize today.

In a recent Instagram video, the Jumanji series veteran responded to a fan who asked if he’d always wanted to be an actor. As it turns out, the seed was planted early, thanks to one iconic archaeologist-adventurer: Indiana Jones. Johnson remembered:

Affirmatively speaking: Indeed, it is a fact… When I turned eight and resided in Charlotte, North Carolina, the release of Raiders of the Lost Ark left me absolutely thrilled… Looking up at the screen, a thought crossed my mind, “I aspire to be that man. That’s what I yearn for.” Goodness gracious, he was quite the character. The hat, the whip, and his charisma all contributed to this impression.

The full video, posted to Johnson’s personal account @therock, is classic Rock; part heartfelt, part rambling, and fully entertaining. In it, he also goes on a tangent about Tom Selleck, revealing he’s been listening (twice!) to the actor’s audiobook and was blown away by the story of his involvement, or lack thereof, in Raiders of the Lost Ark. He continued:

I’m quite fond of Tom Selleck, particularly during his Magnum P.I. years, as I was a kid living in Hawaii at that time when they were filming there. It was not uncommon to spot him around the island, and when I did, it felt like, ‘Wow, there’s Tom Selleck!’ Such a thrill!

Johnson, who has made a name for himself portraying captivating and rugged characters in films, continues to feel the same wonderment about that pivotal experience. Witnessing Harrison Ford deftly navigate Raiders of the Lost Ark was an unforgettable turning point for him. It wasn’t merely a remarkable cinematic instant; as the ensuing video demonstrates, it was precisely “that” defining moment in the life of the star from Moana.

A post shared by Dwayne Johnson (@therock)

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Looking back, it was nearly a decade before I found myself shining in some of the highly anticipated action flicks on the horizon. Yet, it was that early adventure on the silver screen, playing Indy, that ignited my passion. It’s a humbling realization that sometimes, just one movie, one character, or an unforgettable performance can transform everything.

The journey of the “Jungle Cruise” star began from being an enthusiastic child in Charlotte, escalating to worldwide fame. It all started with a whip, a hat, and a dream to become “the” guy. Among movie backstories, this one is golden.

As a follower, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be seen next in the forthcoming A24 film, “The Smashing Machine,” directed by Benny Safdie. In this biopic, I take on the role of MMA fighter Mark Kerr. Keep an eye out for further updates about the wrestler-turned-actor you all adore!

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2025-04-14 18:10