Former WWE wrestler and Hollywood megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is making headlines after showing off a much slimmer frame, leaving fans wondering what happened.
According to the Daily Mail, the 53-year-old actor stunned onlookers Monday at the Venice Film Festival, where he walked the red carpet looking noticeably leaner. Johnson was there to promote his upcoming film The Smashing Machine.
Wearing a double-breasted suit with a crisp white shirt, black shoes, and round-framed glasses, the actor’s new look quickly set social media buzzing. Known for his massive build and intense fitness routines, Johnson’s weight loss raised questions about his health.
Video from the premiere shows audiences giving the film a 15-minute standing ovation, leaving Johnson visibly emotional with tears in his eyes.
While some fans expressed concern, others were quick to reassure that he’s perfectly fine. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Dwayne is completely healthy. Why is the internet always assuming actors are sick? This transformation is just part of preparing for his new role.”
That new role is unlike anything Johnson has done before. The Smashing Machine tells the story of former UFC and MMA champion Mark Kerr, whose life was marked by both success in the ring and struggles with addiction. To embody Kerr, Johnson shed about 60 pounds, wore prosthetics and a wig, and pushed himself in ways fans haven’t seen before.
“This was something I truly wanted to do,” Johnson told The Hollywood Reporter. “I’ve been fortunate to make big movies, but a small voice in me kept asking, what more can I do? I wanted to push myself further.”
At the film’s press conference, Johnson described Kerr as “once the best fighter in the world,” but stressed that the movie is about more than combat. “It’s a love story,” he said. “It’s about Mark and Dawn [played by Emily Blunt], about the love he had for his work, and the challenges he fought through. Mark overdosed twice and survived — that’s what makes his story so powerful.”
Earlier this summer, Johnson opened up about his own health. On The Doctor Mark Hyman Show, he revealed he had struggled with gut issues after years of antibiotics. With the help of functional medicine, he turned things around.
Dr. Hyman explained, “We worked on healing his gut. We gave him probiotics, plant-based ingredients like pomegranate, green tea, and cranberry, and a customized gut-health shake with over 10 ingredients made just for him.”
For Johnson, it seems the transformation isn’t about illness at all, but about taking on the most challenging role of his career.
