Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s life has always been an open book. His rise to fame hasn’t been without its share of heartache. He opened up about the time when his family was going through a really tough time and his mother, Ata, attempted suicide right in front of him. A scene from his HBO comedy, which also co-star’s Denzel Washington’s son, triggered the memory for Rock. The Rock took to his Instagram page to share the story.
“Not your typical scene on our comedy #ballers, as I cracked a beer open toasting my character’s brother, William who committed suicide,” Johnson wrote. “Got me thinkin’ though bout how many of us have been affected by suicide of our friends, family. Struggle and pain is real. We’ve all been there on some level or another. My mom tried to check out when I was 15.”
The fruit doesn't fall to far from the tree! Pro Wrestler Rocky Johnson with his son, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. (1981) @TheRock pic.twitter.com/W7E7tq5L3x
— The Azul (@TrueBlueDoyers) October 1, 2017
The former professional wrestler-turned-actor remembered that he and his parents (his father, Black-Canadian ex WWF pro-wrestler, Rocky Johnson; and Polynesian mother, Ata Johnson) left a restaurant–they drove one car, while he was in another trailing them. Johnson could tell that his mom and dad continued a prior argument in the car, as he watched them swerve all over the road. That’s when his father pulled over and Ata got out of the car. She walked right into oncoming traffic on Nashville’s Interstate 65. Johnson literally had to save her life.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bepdn7llGWc/
“Big rigs and cars swerving outta the way not to hit her,” Johnson continued. “I grabbed her and pulled her back on the gravel shoulder of the road. What’s crazy about that suicide attempt is to this day, she has no recollection of it whatsoever. Probably best she doesn’t.”
The scene on Ballers conjured up the unpleasant memories, but it also served as a reminder that we have to check on our loved ones. We have to make sure that we don’t miss signs of pain and struggle. Johnson was lucky that he was able to save his mother that day. The situation could have taken a tragic turn.
Be like the Rock pic.twitter.com/AEpaembXwE
— Addicted2Success.com (@Addictd2Success) February 2, 2018
“Sh*ts of a scene to shoot – didn’t like it – but it did reminder that we always gotta do our best to really pay attention when people are in pain,” Johnson said. “Help ’em thru it, get ’em talkin’ about the struggle and remind ’em that they’re not alone. We got lucky that day when I was 15 and that ain’t always the case.”
Today, his parents couldn’t be ore grateful that his mother made it through.
https://youtu.be/iZhBe6Y0XT8
