This weekend in Fast Five, Dwayne Johnson makes his Fast and Furious franchise debut as Luke Hobbs, a hulking law enforcer who tangos with the wrong street racing crew. How did Johnson (née "The Rock" in the entertainment industry) transform himself from a professional WWE body slammer to a bankable film star, worthy Saturday Night Live host, and -- most surprising -- a respectable Academy Award presenter?
Let's review nine pivotal performances that mark (and help explain) the remarkable evolution of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
World Wrestling Federation (1996)
Dwayne Johnson's first entertainment role was in the ring, where the charismatic performer won over the testosterone-heavy TV wrestling audience -- even during seasons where his character was positioned as a WWF villain. Christened "The Rock" by Vince McMahon, Johnson's wrestling persona was that of an energetic bully who would insult fans, refer to himself in the third person and deliver the best promos in the industry -- a skill that he would attribute to his college communication courses. (Seriously.) Watch The Rock communicate a world of staged pain to the Hulk in this WrestleMania clip.
Saturday Night Live (2000)
Because of his massive WWF fan base (back before it became the WWE), The Rock was invited to host an episode of Saturday Night Live following four years in the ring. After sharing the cold open with Vince McMahon, Mick Foley and a few other professional wrestlers, The Rock impressed an entirely different television audience with his relaxed and confident sketch ability. Watch as the wrestler holds his own against Tracy Morgan (unlike Jimmy Fallon who also shares the scene) in this memorable Brian Fellow clip.
The Scorpion King (2002)
After the success of his Saturday Night Live episode, The Rock accepted his first feature role in The Mummy Returns -- a small part that grew into a full-blown lead in the film's sequel The Scorpion King. As a bronzed desert king intent on defeating an evil army encroaching on his homeland, The Rock seamlessly transitioned from shirtless staged wrestler to shirtless Sahara warrior. Roger Ebert christened his film career by declaring that the budding star had "the authority to play the role and the fortitude to keep a straight face." All the makings of an action star!
The Rundown (2003)
The Rock traded special effects for action-comedy with Peter Berg's The Rundown the next year. Playing a professional bounty hunter who really just wants to open up a restaurant (don't they all?), The Rock's character travels to South America to retrieve a mobster's son (Seann William Scott). Still holding onto bits of his wrestling persona, The Rock uses his signature move (the Rock Bottom, as if you didn't know) on a thug, earning him his first MTV Movie Award nomination for Best Fight. He also shared a memorable torch-passing moment with action icon Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Be Cool (2005)
The Rock proved that he could poke fun at his steroid-esque profile in Be Cool, the sequel to 1995's Get Shorty. As a gay Samoan bodyguard, The Rock showed audiences that he was not afraid to wear powder blue suits, silk shirts and red cowboy boots, when not being assaulted by homophobic jokes from Harvey Keitel and Vince Vaughn's characters.
The Game Plan (2007)
After testing the boundaries of offensiveness in Be Cool, The Rock explored his G-rated side with appearances on two Disney series (Hannah Montana and Cory in the House) and a starring role in The Game Plan. As an Elvis-loving NFL quarterback who chooses fatherhood over career, The Rock proved that his appeal extends to children. The Game Plan opened in first place at the box office, grossed over $100 million and gave the actor the more professional credit of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Well done.
Get Smart (2008)
Johnson flexed his comedy muscles yet again in Get Smart, Peter Segal's spy-fi blockbuster starring Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway. Playing a Russian double agent (spoiler), Johnson was uncharacteristically given desk duty the first half of the film before being released to complete a fatal plane and train stunt. His serviceable acting ability made a crucial plot point in an otherwise serviceable film seem credible.
Get Smart - Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Clip by EastDust
Tooth Fairy (2010)
Perhaps it wasn't until one of Johnson's most recent roles in the critically-reviled Tooth Fairy when audiences realized why they enjoy watching this professional wrestler-turned-actor deliver lines. Because in spite of the stereotypes we have about athletes and musclebound actors being thick-skulled, Johnson is always charming. So charming that we don't care when he plays a ruthless hockey player who crushes children's dreams and knocks out grown men's teeth. Tooth Fairy grossed over $100 million.
The Other Guys (2010)
Johnson returned to the summer multiplex with last year's Adam McKay cop comedy The Other Guys. As one half of the best (but ill-fated) team on the police squad, Johnson was tough and reliably funny -- even next to Will Ferrell. He may always be the most hulking actor on set physically but to moviegoers he is no longer The Rock, a WWE performer acting -- but legitimate action and comedy star Dwayne Johnson.