Johnson's father, Rocky Johnson, was a professional wrestler, and his maternal grandfather, Peter Fanene Maivia, was also a wrestler.

Johnson received a full scholarship from the University of Miami, where he played football and later suffered a back injury that ended his NFL aspirations.

Johnson married film producer Dany Garcia, with whom he had a daughter, Simone Alexandra Johnson.

Johnson and Garcia divorced but remained close friends and business partners. He later married Lauren Hashian in 2009.