One of the most inspiring scenes in the history of cinema unfolds when Will Smith’s Chris Gardner emerges from the office building into a bustling crowd and emotionally celebrates his glimmer of success after enduring relentless struggles. Released in 2006, The Pursuit of Happyness had Smith taking on yet another real-life role, with Jaden Smith also sharing the screen alongside him.

Will Smith
Recently, the Men in Black actor shared his experience of meeting the real Chris Gardner for the movie during a conversation with Kevin Hart on the latter’s talk show, Hart to Heart.

Will Smith Had A Very Emotional Moment That Led Him To Take On The Role

Will Smith in Pursuit of Happyness
Will Smith was talking about his career in the show with Kevin Hart when the discussion turned to one of his career-defining movies. The Pursuit of Happyness, which earned him an Oscar nomination, also gave him a life lesson in the form of Chris Gardner.

The Seven Pounds actor explained that he embraced the role after Gardner took him to one of the significant places during his times of struggle. Smith shared:
“There’s something about human beings who have suffered and overcome. Chris Gardner is one of those people [who has seen] rock bottom. … And he took me to the bathroom in Oakland, where he had to sleep with his son. And I stood in that place with him, and it was like the ghosts jumped in my body and then I was like ‘I got it, I understand.’”
Moved by the experience, Will Smith took on the role, and the rest is history. The Focus actor also formed a sweet friendship with Gardner, and they connected further over social media.

Chris Gardner Even Changed Will Smith’s Viewpoint About The Showbiz

Will Smith won the Best Actor Oscar for King Richard
After his encounter with Gardner, Will Smith began to reflect on his acting career and became more selective about the roles he pursued professionally. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor confided to Hart that people like Gardner, who had suffered to such levels, possess a secret, and he learned that secret through this process. Smith shared:
“And, you know, at that point in my career, I had discovered that I don’t work for money. I work to learn, I work to grow, I work to meet people, I work to expand and to evolve. And I trust that if I keep my mind in the space of great humans that have something to teach and I work in that space, I trust that money and accolades and all of that stuff will follow.”
Indeed, the Bright actor did learn a valuable lesson, which was evident from the roles he chose after The Pursuit of Happyness. In his last two outings, Will Smith portrayed the father and coach to tennis players Serena and Venus Williams in King Richard and a self-emancipated slave who symbolized the torment of slavery in Emancipation. He even went on to win the Oscars for Best Actor for his performance in King Richard.

The next project for the Suicide Squad actor is the fourth installment of the successful franchise Bad Boys. Smith also currently serves as the executive producer of the series Bel-Air, a reimagined version of the actor’s hit show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.