Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Discusses Battle with Depression Johnson opened up to The Express about his mother's attempted suicide when he was 15 years old. Dwayne Johnson, to The Express Johnson's mother attempted to kill herself by walking into oncoming traffic before he pulled her away. Johnson shared the story on two months ago on Instagram after shooting a scene for HBO's 'Ballers,' in which his character visited a suicidal friend. Dwayne Johnson, via Instagram Dwayne Johnson, via Instagram