Dwayne Johnson Opens Up About Losing 15 Friends to Addiction and Suicide Over 20 Years

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Dwayne Johnson has shared how difficult personal experiences influenced his new film, The Smashing Machine.

I was really moved hearing Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson talk on the Golden Globes red carpet. He shared something incredibly personal – over the last two decades, he’s lost exactly fifteen friends to addiction and suicide because they were struggling with depression. It was a powerful reminder of how important it is to talk about mental health and support each other.

The actor shared that a recent loss deeply impacted his work on the film, giving it more personal meaning. He explained, “It really makes you feel for others. It reminded me of the saying, ‘Everyone is struggling with something.’ It’s a universal experience – we all face challenges.”

I have to say, Dwayne Johnson really opened up in a recent interview. He shared that he’s tragically lost fifteen friends to addiction and suicide over the last twenty years. It’s heartbreaking to hear, but he also talked about how watching the documentary “The Smashing Machine” really hit home for him. It made him realize something profoundly simple: everyone, no matter how strong they seem, is battling their own struggles. It’s a powerful message, and it’s incredibly brave of him to share his pain and what he’s learned.

— Variety (@Variety) December 18, 2025

Earlier this month, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Johnson revealed that he’d lost friends to overdose and suicide, saying life had become too difficult for them. He explained that his film, The Smashing Machine, was created as a tribute to these friends. The movie follows the story of MMA fighter Mark Kerr and his battle with opioid addiction, and Johnson says making it was a deeply personal experience that changed him as both an actor and a person.

Dwayne Johnson is famous for starring in huge action movies like The Mummy, the Fast & Furious series, Jumanji, and Red Notice. However, despite all his success, he felt something was lacking. He explained to Screen International that while he enjoyed making crowd-pleasing blockbusters, he had a desire to push himself creatively and take on more challenging roles.

Watching the 2002 documentary The Smashing Machine, about fighter Mark Kerr, sparked his interest. Johnson remembered feeling hesitant about tackling the project at first. However, his understanding of MMA, combined with seeing friends battle addiction, ultimately motivated him to move forward.

I knew the story of Mark Kerr, but I was shocked to learn how severely his addictions and overdoses affected him. Sadly, I also lost many friends to painkiller addiction around that time.

Filming this movie pushed Dwayne Johnson creatively. He spent four hours daily getting prosthetic makeup applied, working closely with director Benny Safdie, Emily Blunt, and makeup artist Kazu Hiro. As he put it, “Throughout my career, people always told me I couldn’t change my appearance, but this experience taught me what it truly means to transform into another person.”

Johnson confessed he was deeply moved by the premiere at the Venice Film Festival. “I just couldn’t stop myself from crying,” he explained.

The actor openly shared how experiencing loss and understanding others’ pain have shaped the roles he chooses. He sees ‘The Smashing Machine’ not just as a film, but as a way to honor friends he’s lost and to shed light on the hidden battles many people fight.

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2025-12-18 13:44