Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was overwhelmed with gratitude as he was honored with the Hollywood Critics Association (HCA)’s Trailblazer Award.
Ahead of the 48-year-old superstar’s acceptance speech on Friday night, the virtual ceremony paid homage to his legendary career and extensive charity work.
Among the highlights were memorable interactions he shared with Make-A-Wish kids and recent support of first responders and frontline workers amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Honored: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was overwhelmed with gratitude as he was honored with the Hollywood Critics Association (HCA)’s Trailblazer Award
He opted to film his acceptance speech ‘in real time’ to show himself getting choked up as he reflected on being ‘grateful’ for the opportunities to make others feel good and ‘create moments they will never forget.’
‘That video was amazing, it kicked me in the gut. I didn’t expect it to,’ he said, before admitting to feeling ’emotional.’
In addition to thanking the HCA, he spotlighted the ‘people who have really done right’ by him, even when he ‘didn’t have a place to live’ as well as the friends who he has ‘known and grown with.’
Trailblazer Award: Ahead of the 48-year-old actor superstar’s acceptance speech, the virtual ceremony paid homage to his legendary career and extensive charity work
Reciting an ‘old adage,’ the Ballers star reminded listeners: ‘People will never forget how you make them feel.’
‘There are times in my life when I’ve met people and people have done things for me that I have thought and I get a little emotional thinking about it, like ‘Why, I didn’t deserve this. Why would you do this?’
‘You don’t have to be famous, it doesn’t matter what’s in your bank account or what car you drive, all that sh*t doesn’t matter, it just how you make people feel. That’s the thing that matters.’
Charitable: Among the highlights were memorable interactions he had with Kids Wish Network children and recent support of first responders and frontline workers amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
Before concluding his speech, he dedicated the award to his father, who passed away, at 75, in January 2020 of a heart attack.
‘That guy was a trailblazer. As complicated as our relationship was — father and son, tough love, tough love — he was a trailblazer because what trailblazers do is change people’s behavior,’ he said. ‘And he did everything he could to send people home happy.’
The HCA Trailblazer Award was created to honor actors and filmmakers, who speak out and advocate for social change.
‘That video was amazing, it kicked me in the gut. I didn’t expect it to,’ he said, before admitting to feeling ’emotional’
‘Dwayne Johnson epitomizes everything our Trailblazer Award stands for. He goes above and beyond on many things in the world that actually matter and uses his voice to do good in a time most needed,’ HCA chairman Scott Menzel said in a statement to THR late last month.
In 2006, Johnson founded the Dwayne Johnson Rock Foundation, a charity designed to ‘enrich and empower the lives and self-esteem of children who are hospitalized for medical disabilities, disorders and illnesses.’
He also has a history of supporting Beacon Experience, I Have a Dream Foundation, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation and a number of organizations working to end Parkinson’s Disease and AIDS.
Kind: In addition to thanking the HCA, he spotlighted the ‘people who have really done right’ by him, even when he ‘didn’t have a place to live’ as well as the friends who he has ‘known and grown with’
Looking back: Reciting an ‘old adage,’ the Ballers star reminded listeners: ‘People will never forget how you make them feel’
On Friday night Aubrey Plaza received the evening’s Acting Achievement Award, while Zack Snyder was presented the first-ever Valiant Award.
‘Wow, this award means so much to be I’ve decided to retire,’ the 36-year-old actress joked after expressing gratitude. ‘I’m going to stop, that’s it for me.’
Last year, she starred Happiest Season, alongside Kristen Stewart, and Black Bear.
Doting son: Before concluding his speech, he dedicated his award to his father, who passed in January 2020 of a heart attack