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Watch Dwayne Johnson and Jimmy Fallon Team Up to Surprise a Military Family

By Brian Delpozo 2 min read

# Army
# Dwayne Johnson
# Featured

Dwayne Johnson might be gearing up to play a lifeguard this summer, but he played Santa Claus for one military family last week.

While a guest on The Tonight Show on Friday night, Johnson told host Jimmy Fallon that he “would love to give back to a military family that’s actually here in the audience.”

The duo then got up from the hosting desk and ventured into the studio, with viewers and audience members expecting the duo to pick out a prearranged family from the crowd. Instead, the duo kept walking and exited the studio entirely.

Johnson and Fallon continued through NBC’s production offices before reaching the show’s control room to surprise Tonight Show producer and U.S. Army veteran Karina Kabalan. Johnson began running through Kabalan’s biography as the producer appeared to be shocked. Then, using a bit of his drama-building skills from his WWE days, Johnson dropped the surprise.

“I heard that you met your husband when you were both deployed in Iraq. Your husband’s name is Todd. And he’s a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. Turn around and hug your husband.”

Johnson’s reunion of the military couple brought both the two – and Fallon – to tears. It also led to raucous cheers from the studio audience.

Kabalan later wrote about the experience on social media. On Instagram, she wrote in part, “I don’t know if I’ll ever get over the shock! Thank you @jimmyfallon @therock and @fallontonight and the other handful of people who played a part in this scheme! And the academy award for best performance….goes to the Tonight Show Control Room! I was so duped!”

After Kabalan tweeted about the incident, Johnson replied to her.

You’re so loved by all your co-workers Karina. Grateful to have been a part of this. You and Todd enjoy those meatballs ?! @jimmyfallon https://t.co/fTkepFiPqA

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) December 10, 2016