text: who is the rock?   dwayne douglas johnson (born may 2, 1972 in hayward, california), better known by his stage name the rock, is an american actor and former professional wrestler. he has starred in such motion pictures as be cool, walking tall, the mummy returns, the rundown, the scorpion king, doom, and others. he is of multiracial descent, as his father is african-canadian and mother is samoan.  johnson first gained mainstream fame as a standout in the world wrestling federation (now known as world wrestling entertainment). before becoming the rock, he was known as rocky maivia, in homage to his father, rocky johnson, and his maternal grandfather, high chief peter maivia. with this family history, he became the first 3rd generation wrestler in wwe history. since his entry into acting, johnson continues to be known simply as the rock.