Dwayne Johnson’s acting debut in Star Trek Voyager marked a pivotal moment in his career, as he first stepped from the wrestling ring into Hollywood through a guest appearance on the legendary sci-fi series. This surprising crossover took place in a promotional partnership between the UPN Network’s hit show and WWF SmackDown, ultimately launching Johnson toward a booming future in the film industry.
WWE Superstar Steps Into the Star Trek Universe
Before Dwayne Johnson became one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors, he rose to fame in the wrestling world under the moniker “The Rock.” In the late 1990s, the UPN Network sought to boost its ratings for both its sci-fi franchise and WWF SmackDown, leading to a unique collaboration. Johnson landed his first significant acting role on Star Trek: Voyager, specifically in the season 6 episode titled ‘Tsunkatse.’ He played a powerful alien fighter who faced off against Jeri Ryan’s iconic character, Seven of Nine.
This wasn’t Johnson’s first appearance on television, as he had previously played his own father, Rocky Johnson, in an episode of That ‘70s Show. However, his guest spot on Voyager marked his first full-fledged dramatic role, setting the stage for what would become a long and successful career in film and television.
During the episode, Johnson’s character is seen in an arena battle against Jeri Ryan’s Seven of Nine. Despite heavy makeup and alien prosthetics, Johnson thrilled fans by slipping in his signature eyebrow raise—a move familiar to wrestling audiences worldwide. At the time, Johnson was already gaining recognition through WWE, but his Hollywood fame was still on the horizon.
Behind the Scenes: How Hollywood Reacted to the Crossover
Not everyone on the set recognized the rising wrestler. Jeri Ryan reportedly did not know who Dwayne Johnson was during filming, admitting she wasn’t familiar with his wrestling persona. Her first encounter with him was at a fight rehearsal, where he stood out for his friendly and unassuming nature.
No, I had no idea. It was his first or maybe second acting job ever…I didn’t know who he was. I didn’t watch wrestling. I wasn’t aware of his character of ‘The Rock’. So the first time I met him was a fight rehearsal, and he came in, and he was just a super sweet, unassuming, gentle guy named Dwayne. We’re talking about our kids, and he’s just lovely. We had a nice time working together.
According to stories from the set, Johnson left a signed photo in Ryan’s trailer, inscribed with,
“The Rock smells what you’re cooking,”
a playful twist on his famous catchphrase. This gesture reinforced his reputation as a charismatic crowd-pleaser, even when shifting into acting. Ryan later revealed that subsequent meetings with Johnson showed him to be equally kind and approachable, traits that have contributed to his sustained popularity in both wrestling and film.
How Star Trek Helped Shape Johnson’s Hollywood Ascent
Producer Rick Berman has acknowledged the pivotal role Star Trek has played in giving early opportunities to stars like Johnson and Tom Hardy, who would later forge impressive careers. Johnson’s move from wrestling to Star Trek was strategically timed, as it leveraged fandoms from both worlds and expanded his reach beyond sports entertainment.
Although his performance in the episode revolved mainly around the arena battle with Seven of Nine, the appearance allowed Johnson to introduce his persona to an entirely new audience. While some in the Star Trek community found the episode to be a lighthearted, cross-promotional spectacle, others debated the actual impact of his performance and whether it hinted at the future movie star Johnson would become.
His subsequent success with The Mummy Returns, where he played the Scorpion King, solidified his place in Hollywood. The spin-off film, The Scorpion King, would further catapult him into global stardom. Yet, it is this Star Trek cameo that often surprises fans and filmgoers when they discover the roots of Dwayne Johnson’s acting debut in Star Trek Voyager.
A Legacy of Surprise and Impact
The reaction to Johnson’s guest spot has remained divided among Star Trek enthusiasts for decades. Some embrace the hammy, promotional spirit of his role, while others judge it as an example of his trademark style—playing himself, even under heavy makeup. Yet, even if his performance was limited largely to physical acting and charisma, his unmistakable crowd-pleasing tactics both on and off camera hinted at his impending cinematic success.
For Star Trek, featuring a then-rising figure like The Rock alongside central characters such as Seven of Nine helped bridge entertainment genres and draw new viewers. As Johnson’s reputation grew, fans and producers alike could look back at his crossover as a launchpad that foreshadowed his ascent in the film world.
Star Trek: Voyager, the series that offered this unexpected opening night for Johnson’s screen career, is available to watch on Paramount+, and the story of “The Rock’s” curious debut continues to capture the attention of wrestling and science fiction fans alike. The moment stands as a reminder of the unusual, sometimes unpredictable ways stars like Dwayne Johnson make their mark—and how a single dramatic fight on a faraway world can help ignite one of Hollywood’s most celebrated careers.
