Dwayne Johnson is looking back at the moment his movie career began and giving a lot of the credit to Brendan Fraser.
In recent interviews, Johnson said Fraser helped him feel welcomed and supported when he was brand-new to acting, calling him the person who helped “kick off” his on-screen journey.
What Dwayne Johnson said about Brendan Fraser’s support
Johnson explained that when he joined The Mummy Returns for his first film role, he was stepping into a big, established franchise led by Fraser.
He noted that Fraser could have been cautious about a first-time actor joining such a high-profile project, but instead “embraced” him and made him feel like he belonged. Johnson summed it up with a simple, grateful line: “I love that man for that.”
Where it started for Johnson on screen
The Mummy Returns (2001) was Johnson’s film debut, and the role became an early springboard that later led to his first starring vehicle, The Scorpion King (2002). Johnson has said his screen time in The Mummy Returns was relatively brief, but the opportunity mattered because it opened the next door.
What Brendan Fraser has said about the casting
Fraser has also spoken warmly about the choice to bring Johnson into the film. In a separate Entertainment Weekly interview, Fraser said he didn’t know Johnson personally at the time, but he supported the idea immediately and described it as “inspired.”
A friendship and respect that’s lasted
Beyond interviews, Johnson has publicly praised Fraser in recent tributes, thanking him for believing in him early on and showing support when it counted most. The through-line in both of their comments is the same: gratitude, respect, and a shared appreciation for how that first collaboration shaped what came next.
