The Rock Credits Brendan Fraser for Launching His Hollywood Career

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is opening up about the moment that launched his acting career—and he says it wouldn’t have happened without Brendan Fraser’s blessing.

During an interview with Variety’s Actors on Actors, The Rock gave Fraser his flowers for helping him break into Hollywood with The Mummy Returns, revealing that Fraser’s support changed the entire trajectory of his life. Johnson explained how, back in 2000, he was just making the leap from pro wrestling into film. Universal Pictures was on board to cast him as the Scorpion King, but they told him they needed to run it by one man first—Brendan Fraser.

“I was so excited… But I knew because they told me, ‘We’re just gonna talk to Brendan.’ I said, ‘Hey, is this okay?’ And they said, ‘Well, we’re gonna talk to him.’”

At that point, Brendan had every reason to say no. Johnson had never acted before and the Mummy franchise was one of the biggest in the world. But instead of blocking the casting, Fraser embraced it.

“So there was a moment where you could have said, ‘Hey, listen… This guy, Dwayne Johnson—he’s never acted before. I know he’s in pro wrestling, I’m not too sure.’”

“But the word that I got back was, ‘Brendan loves the idea. He welcomes you with open arms.’ And it really meant something to me because… that kicked off my career.”

“I just—as always—but now here, I wanna say thank you, man. And thank you for, in a way, in a big way, really changing my life. ’Cause the trajectory that you allowed to happen led me to be here.”

Fraser, ever the class act, responded with humility and admiration for Johnson’s presence and potential—even back then.

“You were always the right guy for the job. When I was told that you were a possibility for it—forgive me, but I didn’t know you from the wrestling world.”

“And when I was shown, I said, ‘That is perfect. That is inspired casting. That’s fantastic. We’d be lucky to get the guy.’”

“We needed someone bigger and badder than Imhotep. And who are you gonna get? They got you, dude.”

What started as a risky casting move became one of the most iconic career pivots in modern entertainment. Dwayne Johnson went on to headline The Scorpion King and eventually became one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. And it all started with a nod from Brendan Fraser. Johnson summed it up perfectly:

“It went from The Mummy Returns to The Scorpion King… to years later, you and I are sitting here.”

Their exchange wasn’t just nostalgic—it was emotional, grounded, and full of mutual respect. In a business known for ego, this moment was about heart.

What’s your take on this full-circle Hollywood story? Would Dwayne Johnson have become The Rock of movies without Brendan Fraser’s greenlight? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear what you think.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.