Actor Dwayne Johnson is having a pretty good year.
His two films, Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” and Netflix comedy “Red Notice” were met with critical acclaim by fans, and he even turned one veteran’s Thanksgiving into Christmas when he gifted him his own personal truck.
At the 2021 People’s Choice Awards, he won the award for Male Movie Star for “Jungle Cruise” among nominees like “Red Notice” co-star Ryan Reynolds, “No Time To Die” actor Daniel Craig, “The Tomorrow War” actor Chris Pratt, and “F9: The Fast Saga” actor Vin Diesel, among others.
He beat out Reynolds and “Jungle Cruise” co-star Emily Blunt to scoop up the award for Comedy Movie Star of 2021. Also nominated were Salma Hayek, Leslie Jones, Melissa McCarthy, Eddie Murphy, and Octavia Spencer.
If that wasn’t enough, The Rock was also selected to receive the honorary People’s Champion Award. Johnson was selected for the award due to his “contributions to the entertainment industry, entrepreneurial endeavors, and unwavering commitment to supporting children and families in need through multiple philanthropic partnerships.”
Johnson Gives Away His Award To Make-A-Wish Recipient
Wiping our tears away because @therock just dedicated his People’s Choice Award to Shushana, a @makeawish recipient. They are OUR champions! pic.twitter.com/EAQKmj5jN1
— People’s Choice (@peopleschoice) December 8, 2021
The award ceremony took a twisting turn when Amazon founder Jeff Bezos gave away the People’s Champion Award to Johnson, who had some kind words to say to the “Jumanji” actor:
“His achievements are legend. His work ethic is unparalleled. He transcends all demographics. He is impossible not to like and he can sure put down a lot of pancakes. But even with all that, the thing that really stands out the most? He’s kind. … You see, kindness is a choice. And what I admire most in Dwayne is his choice to show unwavering kindness to everyone around him.”
However, it was Johnson who stunned audiences when he revealed that he was giving the award away to a young Make-A-Wish recipient named Shushana.
“I met her earlier. I told her how inspired I was by her story,” Johnson explained. “She is a survivor. She has fought literally for her life. She has inspired her family, her friends, now you guys here, now the world that is watching.”
Johnson said that Shushana represents “everything that means to be a people’s champion” and shared a quote attributed to the late Muhammad Ali, “Service to others is the rent you pay for the room you have here on earth.”
Johnson Dedicates His Comedy Award To Co-Star Emily Blunt
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When taking home the award for Comedy Movie Star of 2021, Johnson made sure to thank the fans who showed up to theaters in the middle of a pandemic to support the film’s release.
“We wanted to make a movie that honored the ride around the world, and the most important thing was to entertain you guys around the world,” he told the audience.
He then took the time to dedicate the win to co-star Emily Blunt.
“I will say that when it comes to comedy, maybe I’m decently funny,” Johnson told the audience. “I can tell a decent dirty joke, especially when I have too much tequila. But I will say that with comedy, it always takes a great partner. This one goes out to this woman who is one of the greatest actors of our generation, of our time.”
Johnson described Blunt as brilliant and funny before adding that she’s “almost as filthy as me when she drinks tequila. Emily Blunt, this is for you.”