Dwayne Johnson and nine other celebrities on dealing with depression
Former wrestler speaks of trauma following his mother’s suicide attempt when he was a teenager
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful










Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has spoken for the first time about his struggles with mental health issues.
In an interview with the Sunday Express, the film star and wrestler talked of battling depression after his dreams of a professional American football career were cut short through injury.
“Struggle and pain is real,” he said. “I was devastated and depressed.”
Article continues belowThe Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Johnson said the worst time came when he was a teenager and his mother, Ata, attempted suicide after they lost their apartment.
“She got out of the car on Interstate 65 in Nashville and walked into oncoming traffic,” Johnson said. “I grabbed her and pulled her back on the gravel shoulder of the road.”
The Hollywood A-lister is not the first celebrity to open up about depression.
Here are nine others who have shared their insight into living with mental health problems:
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com