We only know Dwayne because of Bregdan. The artist returns his debt to an old friend
Even though he is currently one of the top paid actors in Hollywood, Dwayne Johnson was a struggling actor in the early 2000s. He was primarily successful in getting the job that would launch his career because of Brendan Fraser. The Rock has never forgotten his friend’s kind act more than 20 years later, and we can’t get enough of their on-going on-screen friendship.
Dwayne wanted to go from pro wrestling, where he was a major champion, to acting, but he found that this was «an impediment» and proved to be more difficult than he had anticipated.
The Rock claimed that people «thought he’s going to stay in Hollywood maybe a couple of years, make a few movies, and then he’s out» when he first expressed an interest in acting.
However, one performer had faith in him and helped the former professional wrestler land his breakout role. Brendan Fraser was at the pinnacle of his career at the time, having acted in blockbusters like The Mummy. And in 2001, The Rock was chosen to play The Scorpion King in the follow-up film The Mummy Returns, and he owes a lot of the credit for it to Fraser.
Johnson remarked that Brendan «had to okay» him being cast for the role because Brendan is the main star of the franchise.
And Dwayne recollects the director telling him that Brendan was delighted to have him in the film and that he loved the idea.
He added that the confidence Brendan had in him gave him the ability to embark on this new career route. I’d just arrived from WWE, The Rock said. And the movie’s star gave me that type of nod of approval, which meant a lot to me.
The Rock later had a leading role in the film The Scorpion King as a result of this performance. Naturally, this was a significant advancement for his acting career.
The 50-year-old eventually rose to the position of one of Hollywood’s most renowned megastars and one of the most paid performers as the years passed. But he never forgot Fraser’s assistance when he most needed it.
And more than 20 years later, while he was promoting his most recent film, Black Adam, on the red carpet, Dwayne once more brought up Fraser. «Brendan said, ‘Come join my franchise,» he remembered,
«He welcomed me in even though he didn’t have to. I’ve never forgotten it.» After reaching the pinnacle of his career in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Fraser had minor roles in the years that followed and eventually withdrew from the public eye in the late 2000s as a result of numerous personal struggles.
But in 2022, he significantly turned things around with the help of his acclaimed lead performance in The Whale.
A minute-long standing ovation and a ton of love and adoration from both critics and fans were bestowed upon 54-year-old Fraser. And Dwayne Johnson himself was one of his strongest supporters when he was resuming his career. The celebrity tweeted his enthusiasm for Fraser’s return to the big screen and support. He then brought up his colleague’s previous gesture of compassion once more.
«This makes me so pleased to see this great ovation for Brendan,» The Rock wrote. He encouraged me to apply for my first job in his Mummy Returns franchise, which launched my Hollywood career. I wish you every success, brother.»
We are reminded that a kind act can go a long way and can change a person’s path by observing the mutual support and affection between these 2 men. We hope to continue to watch Dwayne and Brandon on our screens for many, many years to come because they are so inspirational.
How do you feel about these two actors? Have you ever been the recipient of a kind deed that significantly changed your life?
