The Rock wants to be known by his real name

Posted Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 2:10 PM Central

by Tim Briscoe

While doing interviews for this Friday's release of Gridiron Gang, former pro wrestler The Rock announced his wish to be known by his given name, Dwayne Johnson.

"From now on please call me Dwayne Johnson. I want to be known as Dwayne Johnson the actor, and not The Rock," the actor was quoted as saying. Apparently Johnson wants to separate his former WWE career from his new found fame as an actor (who wouldn't?).

The Actor Formerly Known As The Rock had recently been referred to as the John Cougar Mellencamp-esque transitional name of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, but that is no more. This fall's Southland Tales will reportedly be the first of his credits to use the Dwayne Johnson name solely.

We like The Rock -- sorry, I mean Dwayne -- and are cool with this name change as long as it's permanent. That means no "Rock Daddy" or "Dwayne Diddy" in the future.