The Rock Secures Place On Forbes ‘Greatest Self-Made Americans’ List

Published: Apr 10, 2026 by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: Apr 10, 2026 by Dave Adamson

Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.

The Rock Secures Place On Forbes ‘Greatest Self-Made Americans’ List

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has secured a place on the recent Forbes List of the 250 Greatest Self-Made Americans.

Celebrating the “Grit. Hustle. Resilience” of those who pursue the American Dream, the list catalogues the names who started with nothing and rose to the top of their field.

Securing a spot on the list of names, Johnson sees himself in position 70, with his profile on the Forbes 250 list reading:

“#70. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, 53

“The Rock named his production company Seven Bucks as a reminder of a bleak time: cut from the Canadian Football League, he arrived broke in Tampa with “a five, a one and change.”

Celebrating the achievement over on Twitter, the official Forbes account would reflect on the success the WWE star has experience, noting:

“Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has cashed in across industries. From his start in wrestling to a series of roles in Hollywood to the beverage industry, Johnson’s raking in millions every year.

“However, @TheRock’s production company, Seven Bucks Productions, is a callback to his humble beginnings when he arrived in Miami with “a five, a one and change.”

“He’s earned a spot among the greatest living self-made Americans on the #Forbes250 list.”

The Rock was also recognized in this year’s Disney Legends Awards, with the WWE star reflecting on receiving the “highest honor” from the entertainment giant.

The American Dream

A vision that anyone can have a better life in the United States, the American Dream suggests that any citizen can “ttain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position”, as stated by James Truslow Adam.

Johnson’s struggles from a young age are well documented, along with the impact on his mental health, yet he has gone from strength to strength throughout multiple business ventures, leading him to become one of the most profitable stars in Hollywood, a business leader in his own right, and a WWE star.

Responding to the Disney Legends Award announcement, Johnson reflected on his belief in “hard work, being grateful, being humble, being good to people, taking care of people”, sharing a further insight into how he has interpreted the American Dream and seen the success that he has had today.