Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has gifted an apartment to UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo, who was previously sleeping at a Miami gym.
Themba, a longtime admirer of The Rock, got to meet him last week when the movie star jetted to Florida to look him in the eye, ‘hug him and shake his hand.’
In a glowing Instagram post, The Rock wrote that Themba had just $7 in the bank when he won a recent UFC fight, whereupon he sold his fight gear and made $7,000.
‘Instead of using the money to find a place to live, he built a bush pump so his village back in Zimbabwe can have clean water,’ The Rock shared last week. ‘He never asked me for anything, but I just wanted to help the guy out. $7 Bucks ya know.’
Then this Thursday, Dwayne, 51, posted a heartwarming YouTube video in which he gave Themba a new home, leaving him visibly astonished and overcome.
So sweet: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has gifted an apartment to UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo, who was previously sleeping at the gym
Wonderful: Dwayne handed Themba a key to the apartment, telling him: ‘Welcome home,’ and wrapping him in an affectionate bear hug
Ruse: Themba showed Dwayne the couch in the gym he was sleeping on, and Dwayne offered to introduce him to ‘a buddy of mine’ called Jay
The video began with Dwayne surprising Themba at the gym, playfully sneaking up behind him before revealing himself.
Themba leapt to his feet upon seeing The Rock and the two men shared an embrace, in a moving moment that reduced Themba to tears.
‘You inspired me to work hard, man,’ said Themba. ‘Thank you. Now I will become a champion, trust me. Believe me!’
Dwayne recalled that he himself had just $7 at one point nearly three decades ago, after he was cut from the Canadian Football League.
Themba showed Dwayne the couch in the gym he was sleeping on, and Dwayne offered to introduce him to ‘a buddy of mine’ called Jay who might be a useful connection to him in his new life in Miami.
They pair of them headed into a car and dashed off to meet ‘Jay’ – who was in fact a made-up character to conceal The Rock’s real plan.
When they arrived at ‘Jay’s’ apartment, The Rock kept up the ruse for a few moments, even calling out: ‘Jay!’ while Themba explored.
They wandered through the home until they reached the living room, where Themba noticed framed pictures of his own family.
En route: They pair of them headed into a car and dashed off to meet ‘Jay’ – who was in fact a made-up character to conceal The Rock’s real plan
Here and there: When they arrived at ‘Jay’s’ apartment, The Rock kept up the ruse for a few minutes, even calling out: ‘Jay!’ while Themba explored
Wow: They wandered through the home until they reached the living room, where Themba noticed framed pictures of his own family
Revealed: Realization dawned on him and he broke into a radiant smile as he registered that Dwayne had presented him with a new place to live
Realization dawned on him and he broke into a radiant smile as he registered that Dwayne had presented him with a new place to live.
Dwayne handed Themba a key to the apartment, telling him: ‘Welcome home,’ and wrapping him in another affectionate bear hug.
The Rock also recently donated a reported seven-figure sum to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program for its striking membership.
Cyd Wilson, the foundation’s executive director, told Variety: ‘It’s the largest single donation that we’ve ever received from one individual at one time.’