9 Reasons Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Is the Movie Star America Deserves

The case for Hollywood’s most likable dude.

Adam K. Raymond

Sep 8, 2015

In May, New York Timesattempted to distill the essence of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, erstwhile wrestler and beloved action movie star, down to one word that perfectly captures the San Andreas and Furious 7 star’s sudden appeal. The Times came up with “goofball” — and dammit if they’re not spot on.

Johnson is naturally much more than a goofball, but it’s his goofiness, on display on social media and in public appearances, that makes him so relatable to the audiences who flock to movie theaters to watch him flex is muscles and destroy his surroundings. Without it, he’d be a millionaire with the body of a Greek god and the tattoos of a convict. All told though, Johnson isn’t just goofy, but good. He’s the positive guy who rescues puppies from drowning—if we were more cynical we might call this story into question, but we’re not! —and humility astonishing for a man rolling in money and muscle.

https://www.instagram.com/p/7WKo6fIh2Y

A photo posted by therock (@therock) on

Sep 7, 2015 at 3:35pm PDT

This isn’t a recent phenomena: he’s been the most likable lug in Hollywood since he made his first foray out of the wrestling ring and onto the set of “That 70s Show.” Even the number that measure that kind of thing agree. As the Times reports, “Johnson has maintained a Q score that’s consistently way above average, topping Tom Cruise, Mark Wahlberg and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the earlier paragon of muscle bound crossovers.”

There are no shortage of things that make Johnson endearing. Really, here’s a list of nine of them — and we probably left a bunch off.

1. He’s not afraid to make fun of himself.

15 w/ tight shorts & creeper mustache. #JustWrong RT: @HistoricalPics: The ROCK at age 15. http://t.co/3iEEPag0Ub”

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) January 25, 2014

2. He used to be fat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/6oTaDCIh8r

A photo posted by therock (@therock) on

Aug 20, 2015 at 8:07pm PDT

3. He’s sweet to his mom.

https://www.instagram.com/p/iSWALMIh_7

A photo posted by therock (@therock) on

Dec 23, 2013 at 5:53pm PST

4. He’s honest about the taste of the food he eats to stay so fit.

https://www.instagram.com/p/W9s2qloh_u

A photo posted by therock (@therock) on

Mar 17, 2013 at 8:43am PDT

5. He called out this sexist meme, but also laughed at it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ZQxJhdIh21

A photo posted by therock (@therock) on

May 13, 2013 at 11:29am PDT

6. Even though this TV show looks awful, its dedicated to helping people who need it, which is totally admirable.

7. He’s nice to kids. You think Leonardo DiCaprio is this nice to kids?

https://www.instagram.com/p/4_9q4kIhy6

A video posted by therock (@therock) on

Jul 11, 2015 at 7:36am PDT

8. He prioritizes function over form. See: fanny pack.

https://www.instagram.com/p/4Pfpe-pR1n

A photo posted by @jessicamichault on

Jun 22, 2015 at 11:50am PDT

9. He’s a Maxim fan.

https://www.instagram.com/p/qUN1ZEoh5m

A photo posted by therock (@therock) on

Jul 11, 2014 at 8:31am PDT

God bless you, the Rock. You’re the shining beacon of humility and grace that Hollywood desperately needs right now.

Photos by Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic

Mentioned in this article: Entertainment maxim legends Maxim Man movies the rock

9 Reasons Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Is the Movie Star America Deserves

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