'I didn't get the chance to say goodbye': Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson shares touching tribute to his father

The 'Hobbs & Shaw' star encouraged fans to reach out to their loved ones in an eight-minute Instagram video

FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2019 file photo, actor Dwayne Johnson poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Jumanji The Next Level', in central London. Johnson will revisit his younger years in a new NBC comedy series called “The Rock,” which is the retired pro wrestler's nickname. NBC said Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 that it's ordered 11 episodes of the show inspired by Johnson, who will appear and also serve as an executive producer. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)Show less

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has shared a touching message about his father's death in an eight-minute Instagram post.

The Jumanji star's father Rocky 'Soulman' Johnson died, age 75, on January 15. Rocky Johnson was extremely successful in his own right, as a pioneering professional Canadian wrestler.

In 1983, Rocky Johnson and his partner, Tony Atlas, became the first black WWE champions in history when they won the World Tag Team Championship. He was later inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

In the tribute, Johnson revealed that his father had died from deep vein thrombosis.

“Which is essentially a blood clot in the leg," Johnson said.

"It was a big old blood clot that broke free, traveled up his body, and went right to his lung and clotted his lung and he died very quickly from a massive heart attack, just like that."

Johnson added that his father had been battling a cold and infection leading up to his death.

Johnson, who left his WWE career behind to become one of Hollywood's most bankable stars, thanked his fans for their "outpouring of love and support".

"The quality that it has provided during this time has been immeasurable and invaluable and I thank you guys and I love you for the support."

He spends the entire eight-minute clip sitting outside and speaking emotively to the camera dressed simply in a hoodie and sweatpants.

"I lost him just like that. I didn't get the chance to say goodbye," he said. "I would give anything right now to give him a big old hug and a big old kiss, before he crossed over just to say I thank you and I love you and I respect you."

He said he had initially asked himself whether his father was in pain or if his death was drawn out.

"He (the medical examiner) said he went fast. He went quick. That's my old man, he was always quick,” Johnson said in the video, which had already raked in more than six million views in nine hours.

Johnson then encouraged his followers to reach out to their loved ones. To text them, call them and “if they’re close by (…) I want you to hug them. You tell them that these are the marching orders from Dwayne Johnson who just lost his old man. But you hug them and you hug them hard."

A number of celebrities commented on the video, including Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds, rapper Asap Rocky and Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn.

“Beautifully said. Sending you and the family tons of love,” Reynolds wrote, alongside a heart emoji.

On Friday, Johnson shared a tribute to his father on Instagram with footage from Rocky Johnson’s wrestling days. “I love you,” Johnson wrote.

“You broke color barriers, became a ring legend and trail blazed your way through this world. I was the boy sitting in the seats, watching and adoring you, my hero from afar. The boy you raised to always be proud of our cultures and proud of who and what I am."