Dwayne Johnson Pays Tribute to His Late Father in Emotional Speech

Dwayne Johnson is honoring his father, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, just over a year after his death.

The 48-year-old Fast & Furious star received the Trailblazer Award at the 2021 Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards on Friday (March 5) and he dedicated the award to his late father.

After a clip that documented the actor’s involvement with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and his donations to frontline workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Dwayne shared that his father was instrumental in instilling him with a philanthropic spirit.

“It’s the anchoring reminder that if we’re lucky enough and fortunate enough to be in a position where you can make someone feel good and you can create moments for them that they will never forget for the rest of their lives — that is power,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter what’s in your bank account, or what kind of car you drive. That sh-t doesn’t matter. It’s just how you make people feel,” Dwayne continued.

“I’m going to dedicate this trailblazer award to my dad, my old man who died a little over a year ago,” Dwayne said.

“Man, that guy was a trailblazer,” he continued. “As complicated as our relationship was — our father/son relationship, tough love, tough love — he was a trailblazer because what trailblazers do is change people’s behavior. And he did everything he could to send people home happy.”

Dwayne shared that Rocky had died of a massive heart attack in January 2020. He later opened up about their “complicated” relationship in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.