Hollywood Star Dwayne Johnson Shares His Journey Through Depression Following Divorce

Dwayne Johnson, Hollywood's beloved action star and former wrestling champion, has recently opened up about a deeply personal struggle—his battle with depression following his divorce from ex-wife Dany Garcia. Johnson, who is well-known for his larger-than-life persona on-screen, disclosed that the time following the breakup was among the most emotionally taxing periods of his life. Speaking candidly in interviews with major outlets, he discussed how the divorce affected his mental health, how fatherhood and professional responsibilities helped him cope, and why he believes speaking openly about mental health is crucial for everyone, regardless of fame or success. 

When the Rock Hit a Rough Patch

Image Courtesy: The Hollywood Reporter

Dwayne Johnson—known to millions as "The Rock"—has built a career as one of Hollywood's most bankable stars, yet beneath his successful performances and extravagant attitude, there is a real story of inner turmoil. During a recent appearance on the The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast, Johnson revealed that following the end of his marriage to Dany Garcia in 2007, he found himself dealing with what he now recognises as depression.

"When you guys get married, as a few of you may know, you sign up for the long haul, but then it doesn't always work out like that," he said. "And then it rocks you, like it rocked me." He described the divorce as the trigger for the darkness that followed—he was a father with a young daughter, asking himself, "What kind of father was I going to be?" Johnson acknowledged that at the time, he didn't completely comprehend what he was going through, remembering that he "was really going through it, and that was another bout of depression."

Image Courtesy: People

Johnson stressed that, despite his international recognition as an actor, producer, and professional wrestler, fame does not protect anyone from mental health issues, and he wanted to speak openly about it to encourage others to seek help and acknowledge their emotions.

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Divorce, Career Shifts & the Emotional Fallout

Johnson's divorce from Garcia didn't just impact his personal life—it had a clear effect on his creative choices as well. During the years after the breakup, he favoured performing in feel-good family movies like 'Tooth Fairy' and 'The Game Plan,' acknowledging that he "didn't want anything that was going to challenge me to rip my guts out; I wanted stuff that has a happy ending." This shift was, he said, a way to give himself something simple and healing rather than engage with emotionally punishing roles.

Image Courtesy: People

Meanwhile Johnson and Garcia, despite their divorce, went on to build a strong professional partnership. They co‑founded the production company Seven Bucks Productions and have worked together successfully, showing that personal and professional relationships can evolve positively. Johnson also stressed the role of fatherhood in his recovery.

Being a "girl‑dad" to his daughter Simone and later to two more daughters became "the saving grace" during his darkest moments.

Image Courtesy: ABC News

Healing, Professional Renewal & Open Conversations

In the years since that difficult period, Johnson's career rebounded and grew even stronger, but his journey also reflects a deeper emotional evolution. He has publicly discussed going through three significant depressive episodes: a first when his aspirations were dashed as a collegiate athlete, a second during his divorce, and a third around 2017, when he claims to have finally understood what was happening.

In terms of movies, Johnson has gone back to playing parts that combine heart, action, and complexity, with his most recent being 'The Smashing Machine.' Due to the role's demanding physical and emotional requirements, he was forced to reexamine some of the difficulties he had encountered personally during his depressive episode. Johnson revealed that balancing the grueling workout schedules with the emotional depth of the character was taxing, but it also became a form of therapy, allowing him to channel his struggles into his performance.

Image Courtesy: Deadline

He has made it clear in public that talking to someone is more vital than struggling with mental health issues alone: "If you're going through your own version of mental wellness turning into mental hell‑ness, the most important thing you can do is talk to somebody. It can't be fixed if you keep the pain inside." Johnson has given voice to the idea that everyone, even global icons around the world, struggle with mental health issues and that asking for help is a sign of strength rather than weakness. 

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