Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson: Paul Walker & I Bonded Over Being Fathers

The Rock and Paul were more than just friends and co-stars -- they also shared a strong bond over something much bigger: being fathers. Now Dwayne Johnson is speaking out about his special connection with Paul in a revealing new interview. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Paul Walker were famous enemies in the Fast & Furious franchise, but in real life, beyond being friends, they shared the unique and unbreakable bond of fatherhood. After Paul's tragic passing on Nov. 30, the former pro-wrestler is honoring Paul's memory by remembering how his friend and co-star always put family first.

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Reading Time: 3 minutes
December 3, 2013 3:16PM EST
The Rock Paul Walker
Image Credit: Splashnews

The Rock: Paul Walker & I Bonded Over Being Fathers

Dwayne, 41, reminisced about the evolution of his friendship with his Fast & Furious costar in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, saying, “When I first met Paul, I think in our late 20s, we were young kids in the business. Then years later, when I did Fast Five, we had an opportunity to spend a lot of time together and become reacquainted.”

[hl_youtube src=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM6sUuVhcN8″ link=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM6sUuVhcN8″ text=”Paul Walker Car Crash Video Surfaces”]

So how had things changed since their carefree 20s?  “We had both been in the business at that time for over a decade, and the most important thing that we had in common was the importance of family time and being a great father to our daughters. We bonded over that.”

It is so touching to hear that, despite their massive fame and insanely busy schedules, both Paul and Dwayne prized being fathers above all. That was their number one job, and they both strove to do it to the best of their ability.

Dwayne adds in the interview, “”It was always the number one topic we would talk about. We would talk about silly guy things, his fast cars and my pickup trucks, or we would talk about the beautiful energy of Hawaii — but it always ultimately came back to family. And very specifically the beautiful and important bond between a father and his daughter, and how we both realized that over the years.”

The Rock’s First Thought When He Heard Paul Walker Had Died: Meadow Walker

So what was Dwayne’s immediate reaction when he heard of his close friend’s death? “Not surprisingly, when I got the news that he had passed away, the first words out of my mouth were, ‘He has a daughter.’ It’s very sad,” Dwayne says. “We can’t help but to hope that their final time together was beautiful and strong and an amazing memory.”

So eloquent and so true.

Our heartfelt thoughts are with Meadow Walker, 15, who moved to California to live with her dad shortly before his death. We hope she is filled with happy memories of her loving father, despite the anguish she must be feeling now — especially having been at the scene of the crash.

— India Irving

More Paul Walker News:

  1. Paul Walker’s Fatal Car Crash: Horrifying Video Footage Released
  2. Paul Walker Was ‘So Happy’ Just Moments Before Tragic Death
  3. Paul Walker Biggest Tragedy: Finally Had ‘His Time’ With Daughter Meadow