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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 Happynesshad Smith taking on yet another real-life role, with Jaden Smith also sharing the screen alongside him.
Recently, theMen in Blackactor 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.
Also Read:“Oh no, Will relax”: Will Smith Holds Back Tears, Says Getting Choked Out With Real Chain in ‘Emancipation’ Made Him Feel a Scary Level of Human Brutality
Will Smith Had A Very Emotional Moment That Led Him To Take On The Role
Will Smithwas talking about his career in the show withKevin Hartwhen 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.
TheSeven Poundsactor 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. TheFocusactor also formed a sweet friendship with Gardner, and they connected further over social media.
Also Read:“It can’t happen”: Will Smith Blames Dwayne Johnson For His Long Hiatus From Hollywood, Says The Rock Whooped His As*
Chris Gardner Even Changed Will Smith’s Viewpoint About The Showbiz
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-Airactor 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, theBrightactor did learn a valuable lesson, which was evident from the roles he chose afterThe Pursuit of Happyness. In his last two outings, Will Smith portrayed the father and coach to tennis players Serena and Venus Williams inKing Richardand a self-emancipated slave who symbolized the torment of slavery inEmancipation. He even went on to win the Oscars for Best Actor for his performance inKing Richard.
Also Read:Before Will Smith, Another Oscar-Winning DC Actor Turned Down Steven Spielberg for His $306M Movie Despite Being Director’s First Choice
The next project for theSuicide Squadactor is the fourth installment of the successful franchiseBad Boys. Smith also currently serves as the executive producer of the seriesBel-Air, a reimagined version of the actor’s hit showThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Source:Cinemablend
Hashim Asraff
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3017
Hashim Asraff is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,800 articles published on celebrity culture, comic book movies, and major TV franchises. With a background in Sociology and a keen interest in pop culture, Hashim brings a unique lens to breaking news stories, character deep-dives, film rankings, and fan-driven perspectives.His coverage often includes the MCU, DCU, hit network shows, and celebrity profiles, giving readers a rich blend of entertainment and analysis. A longtime fan of crime and investigative series, Hashim has watched thousands of episodes of NCIS, Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU, Bones, Blue Bloods, and The RookieA passionate storyteller and wordsmith, Hashim has also worked as a ghostwriter and managed multiple social media handles. He brought his writing expertise to FandomWire to also pursue his lifelong love for cinema and television.
