Independent news from the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance

Viral Video: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson surprises stunt double with new truck

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

By Vincent Schilling
Indian Country Today
Veiled as a fake interview: Johnson delivered an emotional message of thanks to his stunt double with a custom truck

One of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors, Pacific Islander / Samoan, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, whose recent movie Skyscraper took the number one spot at the box office, posted a video of he and his stunt double, Tanoai Reed.

Johnson delivered an emotional message of thanks on Facebook (he’s standing next to the stuntman in the video). “He’s been an incredible partner and brother to me,” Johnson says regarding Reed. “It’s been an honor and I want to say from the bottom of my heart, I love you, I thank you, and enjoy your new truck.”

Reed looks astonished and is immediately brought to tears.

Johnson’s post has gone viral with over 1.2 million views.

“SURPRISE!” He says, “Over the course of my career, my stunt double (and cousin) Tanoai Reed has broken multiple bones, severed tendons, torn ligaments & just been an overall dominating bad ass achieving several “Stuntman of the Year” honors… I had this custom pick up truck delivered just in time to surprise him (he’s still recovering from a stunt injury) while we give what he thought was going to be an interview about our careers together.”

“…Not only does Tanoai represent our family and my career with relentless commitment and passion. He also represents an entire Hollywood stunt community that is truly the backbone of our business. Love you uso and thank you for the blood, sweat, tears and years. Enjoy your new truck!”

The custom black truck, which sports a huge red bow, is clearly appreciated by Tanoai Reed, who is recovering from surgery.

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear is the founder and director of the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, a 501-C-3 nonprofit organization with offices in Bismarck, N.D. and the Fort Berthold Reservation. Jodi spent 15 years reporting for the mainstream press. She's been awarded prestigious Nieman and John S. Knight journalism fellowships at Harvard and Stanford, respectively. She also an MIT Knight Science Journalism Project fellow. Her writing is featured in "The Authentic Voice: The Best Reporting on Race and Ethnicity," published by Columbia University Press. Jodi currently serves as a Society of Professional Journalists at-large board member, an SPJ Foundation board member, and she chairs the SPJ Freedom of Information Committee. Jodi has won top journalism awards from mainstream and Native press organizations. She earned her journalism degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.