PROFILE: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Concluding our profiles for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we look at Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and his contributions to Disney.

Dwayne Johnson was born in 1972 in Hayward, California. Many people don't know that he is Asian Pacific American, but he is part-Samoan from his mother's side. Before becoming an actor, he played college football and then became a professional wrestler at the WWE taking on his famous moniker "The Rock."

Johnson first came to Disney in 2007 when he starred as Joe Kingman in the sports comedy The Game Plan. In 2009, he starred as Jack Bruno in Race To Witch Mountain, the reboot of the 1970s film classic series. And in 2011, he was an air marshal in the Touchstone Pictures film You Again.

He also starred as himself on several Disney Channel shows, including Cory In The House, Hannah Montana and The Wizards of Waverly Place. In addition to that, He was also mentioned in The Proud Family, Liv & Maddie as well as That's So Raven and Raven's Home.

In 2016, Johnson would take on one of his most famous roles as Maui, the Polynesian demigod, who befriends Moana and helps her return the Heart of Te Fiti. He reprised the role in the short Gone Fishing.

And, in 2021, Johnson returns to Disney as Frank in the upcoming The Jungle Cruise. And, in October 2019, it was announced that he would be producing a show for Disney+ entitled Behind the Attraction, which offers a look at behind the magic.

“Since 1955, when Disneyland first opened its doors, the rides and attractions have been impacting generations in such a fun and magical way around the world. This first-of-its-kind series will bring you behind the scenes to experience and celebrate how these beloved attractions creatively came to be. Hope to make Walt and the ‘mouse house’ proud with this one,” said Johnson.

It's fantastic to know that Johnson continues his love of Disney and we will definitely be looking out for the series.