Will Smith played salesman Chris Gardner in the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happyness.
The film is based on the real-life struggle of Chris Gardner, who became a stockbroker after experiencing homelessness while raising his young son. Smith’s son, Jaden Smith, played Christopher, Gardner’s son, making their father-and-son relationship central both to the story and to the production.
The film’s title deliberately uses the misspelled word “Happyness,” reflecting a sign seen by Gardner in the story. It was released in the United States in December 2006.
The role earned Will Smith an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. The film is often remembered in Father’s Day discussions because its central dramatic relationship is a determined father protecting and supporting his child.