Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson had best response to being told playing gay would ‘ruin his career’

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Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson had an absolutely iconic response when some “few influential folks” told him that playing a gay character would “ruin” his acting career. 

The revelation came after former Out editor Jeffrey R Epstein spoke about his favourite cover stories in honour of the magazine’s 30th anniversary. This included an interview he did with Johnson in 2005 when the actor was promoting his crime-comedy film Be Cool. 

Johnson played an openly gay man named Eliot who worked as a bodyguard and was an aspiring actor. The role was one of Johnson’s earliest film appearances as he transitioned from a stellar wrestling career into acting. 

Epstein, who is now the host of the D23 Inside Disney Podcast, reminisced how Johnson was  “one of the nicest, smartest humans” he’s interviewed and was a “class act” when they met. 

After seeing Epstein’s words, Johnson opened up about the toxicity he experienced in Hollywood around LGBTQ+ representation and showed his support for queer fans.

Johnson revealed he was advised in the early stages of his acting career to stay clear of playing gay characters as it could “ruin” his chances of landing bigger roles in the future. 

And in true The Rock fashion, Johnson recalled telling those “influential” figures to “nicely” take their hateful opinions and “f**k off”.

“Jeff, thanks man so much for these very kind words,” Johnson wrote. “I always say, ‘It’s nice to be important, but more important to be nice’.”

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He continued: “I was told back then (by a few influential folks) that playing a gay man would ‘ruin my career’. 

“I said ‘hold my tequila and f**k off.’ Nicely of course.”

Jeff, thanks man so much for these very kind words. I always say, “it’s nice to be important, but more important to be nice”.
I was told back then (by a few influential folks) that playing a gay man would “ruin my career”
I said “hold my tequila and f*ck off”
Nicely of course