Though his relationship with his father had several rough patches, Dwayne Johnson loves his dad and says he has great respect for the man who raised him with tough love.

Dwayne's father, Rocky, died two years ago, but the 49-year-old "Red Notice" actor, in an exclusive interview with ET, said he has a greater appreciation for his dad now than ever.

Dwayne reflected on his memories with his late father while discussing his role in season 2 of the sitcom "Young Rock," which is based on his own life.

"I was an only child and I had a complicated relationship with my dad, though he was my hero when I was a little boy," Dwayne said. "I have a loving, supportive relationship with my mom, but all the lessons that my mom was able to teach me over the years I didn't realize because I was running around getting arrested and being an idiot at some points in my life."

"Some of the things and the lessons that I learned from my old man I didn't realize how critical those lessons were until years later," Dwayne added. "And, to be honest with you, I didn't realize how important they were until he passed away."

Before retirement, Rocky was also a wrestling champion much like his son. He later developed deep vein thrombosis and died due to a massive heart attack.

The "Jungle Cruise" star revealed he never got the chance to thank his dad for the lessons he imparted to him. Dwayne said he would gladly give "anything right now to give him a big ole hug and a big ole kiss before he crossed over and just say thank you and I love you and I respect you."

Dwayne told the outlet that he started feeling closer to his dad after the latter's death.

"You know, when we lose loved ones like that we have to go through our own process. But when my dad passed away, you look back – and I know a lot of people feel this way too – it's that wild thing that happens where in life if you have a complicated, loving relationship like I did with my dad, then in death and in passing – in this wild way – you actually become closer," Dwayne explained.

"Young Rock" Season 2 premieres Tuesday on NBC.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the world's top-paid actor, urged his 196 million Instagram followers to wear masks and avoid "politicizing" the pandemic after revealing that he, his wife and two young daughters had picked up Covid-19
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the world's top-paid actor, urged his 196 million Instagram followers to wear masks and avoid "politicizing" the pandemic after revealing that he, his wife and two young daughters had picked up Covid-19 AFP / Jean-Baptiste LACROIX
RELATED STORIES