Steven Spielberg's Fan Letter to the Rock is Pretty Sweet
Even the biggest stars — 6’5” and 260 pounds big — can get starstruck from time to time.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson confessed in an interview with Esquire that he was reduced to grinning “like a big-ass kid” when he recently received a letter from Steven Spielberg praising his work, calling it the defining moment when he knew he’d made it as an actor.
The Schindler’s List and Jurassic Park director wrote to the WWE Superstar turned action star out of the blue, telling him:
“Been enjoying your movies over the years. Very entertaining. I feel like I’ve really gotten to know you over the years, most recently after watching you host Saturday Night Live. Great job. You continue to go for it. Proud of your work and look forward to meeting you. Steven Spielberg.”
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Needless to say, it had an impact comparable to the massive earthquake in Johnson’s latest disaster film and sparked an emotional response.
“It took me back to being just like a kid. I was so blown away,” he told Esquire.
The HBO Ballers star also wrote a gushing Instagram post next to a photo of him holding the letter in which he recalled seeing Indiana Jones on its opening weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, when he was just eight years old.
In the text accompanying the photo, Johnson wrote:
Grinnin’ now like a big ass kid… When I was 8yrs old I sat front row to see a sold out INDIANA JONES in its opening weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina. I walked out of that theater excited and wanted to be “Indy”.. cool, funny, charming with the ladies and kickin’ ass w/ a smile. But at 8yrs old I was also perfectly content playing w/ my Star Wars figures and sneaking off listening to Richard Pryor concerts. Throughout the years I’ve credited this man and his movies as being my greatest inspiration in becoming an actor and wanting to always make “his kind” of movies - entertaining, quality and above all else.. heart. Just receiving this personal letter from him and its not only made me incredibly humbled and grateful, but it’s also brought me back to being that 8yr old boy again who not only loves movies, but I now get to make the movies I love and enjoy the impact they have on others. THANK YOU STEVEN SPIELBERG for these inspiring and motivating words in your letter and cheers to making sure I’m always listening to that little voice in my gut. #CoolestGiftEver #BigAss8yrOldKid #SpielbergInspired
Watch a countdown of the 40 biggest summer movies of the last 40 years below:
