The Rock has officially added another major achievement to an already stacked career.
Dwayne Johnson was inducted as a Disney Legend during Sunday’s D23 ceremony in Anaheim, California.
He joined Disney’s 2026 class nearly three decades after making the jump from WWE superstar to one of Hollywood’s biggest names.
Longtime friend and Jungle Cruise co-star Emily Blunt handled the introduction, joking that she expected to meet the larger-than-life “The Rock” before discovering the man behind the wrestling persona was nothing like the character.
She also praised Johnson’s rise from professional wrestling to Hollywood, saying he redefined what a modern movie star can be.
Johnson admitted the honor was difficult to put into words.
He reflected on going from growing up in a trailer park to standing on the D23 stage as a Disney Legend.
The Great One called it one of the coolest moments of his life before deciding to put aside any prepared speech and simply speak from the heart.
The most emotional part of the ceremony came when Johnson shared a story about taking his oldest daughter, Simone, to Disney when she was five years old.
He revealed it was also her birthday weekend, leading the entire crowd inside the Honda Center to sing “Happy Birthday” before explaining that moments like those are what matter most to him.
Instead of talking about awards or box office numbers, Johnson said his daughters have taught him that the best part of fame is having the opportunity to make people happy.
He closed with the lesson that’s stayed with him since he was a teenager.
“It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
Johnson’s career has already included WWE championships, blockbuster movies, producing, business ventures and becoming the voice of Maui in Disney’s Moana franchise. Now he can officially add Disney Legend to that list as well.
Emily Blunt calls Dwayne Johnson “disarmingly wise, gentle, curious and totally unpretentious” while honoring him as a Disney Legend at #D23:
“And that’s not to say this one’s an angel, all right, because he’s not. He’s a non-conforming, rule-breaking, mold-breaking rebel.” pic.twitter.com/fBwRhIyFq6
— Variety (@Variety) August 16, 2026
Dwayne Johnson has the #D23 crowd sing “Happy Birthday” to his daughter after receiving his Disney Legends Award. pic.twitter.com/BLpAHHtYh0
— Variety (@Variety) August 16, 2026
