Films: 'Pursuit of Happyness'

Chris Gardner, the inspiration for the new Will Smith film "Pursuit of Happyness," was online Monday, Dec. 11 at noon ET to discuss how he went from living in homeless shelters to running his own brokerage firm.

A transcript follows.

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Chris Gardner: Chris Gardner, I'm in San Francisco today, we're in the process of kicking off the premiere of "Pursuit of Hapyness," and I have to tell you, it could not be going better.

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Roanoke, Va.: What do you think is more important - self-determination or inspiration?

Chris Gardner: I think the former, I think the truth of the matter is that the person who can probably inspire you the most is yourself.

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Landover, Md.: Hi Chris, I heard you say on "Oprah" that a person must find that niche in life. How did you find yours? I have bought your book but have not read it yet.

Chris Gardner: I made a decision from a very early age that I wanted to be world-class at something, and it was a matter of finding that right venue. The second I walked into a Wall St. trading room, I knew this was the place I had been looking for. It's more than just finding your niche, it's a matter of being bold enough to do what makes you happy, no matter what others might say. I don't mean that in a selfish way, I mean that as a matter of making yourself happy and living with yourself.

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Washington, D.C.:

What has the process been like for you? Seeing a movie based on your life being created.

Chris Gardner: Surreal, surreal, to put it mildly. Not just seeing a movie based on your life being created, but a movie starring the biggest movie star in the world. On average, 300 million people around the world see Will Smith movies.

I'm at the point where I can say comfortably that I'm totally freaked the blank out. Totally.

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Bethesda, Md.: How's your son doing? Has he seen the movie? What does he think about it?

Chris Gardner: Children are funny -- my son's 25, and to me, he's going to say, "that's cool, that's nice." I was talking to his friends the other day and they were like "wow, that's off the hook, that's the bomb!" They're much more expressive about it. He's seen it, we were together the first time we saw it, and I think he's very very pleased and proud.

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Merrifield, Va.: Chris,

What do you think is the biggest thing you have learned from the ups and downs of your life?

Chris Gardner: Something my Mom used to always say to me, especially about the downs -- when everything's up, things are cool and easy. But something to keep in mind is that the cavalry is not coming. I think that's one of the major lessons. The person you can trust the most is yourself. That cloud of smoke on the horizon might be a posse; things might be about to get a lot worse. So you better get up out of there.

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Minneapolis, Minn.: Did you know that Will Smith would be playing you in the movie? Good decision?

Chris Gardner: Oh, excellent, excellent. That wasn't my first impression -- my first impression was, "Oh, I don't know, man." He had never done anything like this -- I think of Will as a big outer space, sci-fi actor. My daughter put it in perspective though, saying, "Pop, don't worry about it. If he can play Ali, he can play you."

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Arlington, Va.: Hello Mr. Gardner:

Now that the movie has come out, what are your plans for the future?

Chris Gardner: Well, right now I'm working on my second book, which is going to focus on a concept I'm developing called spiritual genetics. I'm working on a number of speaking engagements, both here and internationally, and I'm looking at some opportunities in media and on television.

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Waldorf, Md.: Would you say that self-education is just as important as formal education? And what is your suggested reading list for success?

Thanks I'm going to the movie, buying the book today and will purchase the DVD when it comes out!

Kevin

Chris Gardner: One of the things I like to read, that I've always enjoyed, are autobiographies -- I love reading about folks talking about their lives from their perspective. Some of my favorites:

"Manchild in the Promised Land," by Claude Brown,

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," Maya Angelou

"The Autobiography of Malcolm X," by Malcolm X and Alex Haley

"A Long Walk To Freedom," by Nelson Mandela.

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St. Louis, Mo.: How do you define success?

Chris Gardner: For me, right now, I'm healthy, as a single parent with a lot of help, I've managed to raise two children into fabulous young people, and I manage to do work that reflects my values. That's about as good as it's going to get for me.

(And you'll notice I didn't say anything about movies or money).

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Alexandria, Va.: First of all, thank you for doing this. You have a truly amazing, inspiring story to share with the world. I plan to see the movie and read your book. Do you believe the movie does your true experience justice?

Thank you!

Chris Gardner: Oh, absolutely, that's why I was on the set every day for 17 weeks. That all began from the very beginning, when I made a decision that I would trust the producers, and would trust Will Smith. I think the film captures the essence of the struggle, and I could not be happier.

There were times I had to say to the producers was "we'll have to talk about this." One thing I learned early on was that if something was important to me, I just had to talk to Will, and if I talked to Will, it would get done, just like that.

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Hyattsville, Md.: I want to thank you for putting your story out there to be an inspiration for so many. My son and I are going to see the movie when it opens here. My question is this: did you ever get to a point where you were afraid to try? There is a change in my life that I'm wanting to make, but I just can't get up the courage to try it. Thanks for any words you can provide. Lisa

Chris Gardner: You miss every shot you don't take. Take your shot now. And don't just take a shot, do something that, if you honest to god feel it in your soul, you've got to. You don't ever want to be saying, "I should have, I wish I had."

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Largo, Md.: I hope this isn't too obvious a question, but what is the symbolism of misspelling "happiness." Thanks

Chris Gardner: Happiness was spelled that way by a place that became very very important for my son and I, and that was a daycare center.

That "y" in happyness is because we want people to think about what makes "you" happy, what's the source of your happiness.

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Washington, D.C.: Hello Mr. Gardner,

I saw you on "Oprah" and was truly in awe of you and was genuinely inspired by what you've been able to accomplish. I currently work as an educator dealing primarily with under-served youth here in D.C. I was very moved by how you were able to give one woman a chance to go to college (you were reunited on the show). What advice can you give me to keep positive and serve as a better role-model for these kids who don't feel like they have a future. Thank you so much for your courageous story!

Chris Gardner: You have to focus on the few children you know for a fact you are getting through to. The others will come to realize the value of what you are trying to share later in life, but for right now, you have to focus on the guys who you know you are getting through to, the ones you know want to make it on their own. They'll give you the energy to go forward, doing what you are doing.

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Arlington, Va.: Bill Cosby has talked about the culture of "selling out" in the black community, that there's an antagonism toward education and self-improvement. Do you consider yourself a role model, and what can be done so that trying to get ahead becomes something that's admired, rather than looked down on?

Chris Gardner: First of all, I'm absolutely no one's role model -- I'm an example of how not to do it. I think the concept of role models is exaggerated and overrated. I think it's more important that people try to find to be mentors and work hands on.

I hope that attitude is just a temporary thing, because the truth is that education is the key. I'm not blaming the media, but young minds are very susceptible to B.S. -- if a guy who's 20 thinks he's supposed to be driving a Bentley, something is wrong with that equation. The focus has to be on what we know works, and that's education.

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Boston: It's always easier to take risks when there's no one else depending on you. How did you reconcile taking risks on your future when you had the responsibility for your child?

Chris Gardner: You know what the risk was? Not taking the risk. This was my way to provide not just an opportunity for myself to finally participate in a business that I knew I was supposed to be in, but also to provide the life I wanted to provide for my child. These were two trains running on parallel tracks simultaneously, and they were headed toward the same purpose, a better life for myself and my son.

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Arlington, Va.: Chris,

My first time hearing about your story was watching you on the "Tavis Smiley Show" on BET. How did you get your story out? Did the urban media catch on first and then somehow it reached a more mainstream audience? There are so many stories like yours, that are so inspirational, I just wish that we could have more stories come out and gain such mass appeal. Our culture and successes are so much more than hip-hop and rap. Thanks.

Chris Gardner: You know, that's a great question, as clearly as I can -- though this is the story of my life, it's really the book of "us." It's about everyone who had an opportunity to become anything but what we are -- I had every opportunity to be my stepfather: an alcoholic, wife-beating loser. But instead I embraced the sprit of my mother, who had her own dreams destroyed, but was able to instill in me those dreams, and that I had the opportunity to achieve my dreams.

As for getting the story out, it was mainstream media first -- it was 20/20 and ABC that launched the whole thing. In particular, it was a producer named Lynn Redmond that convinced me this story needed national attention.

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Chris Gardner: I'm so happy that this whole thing is happening, and I just want to stress that this book and this movie isn't just about me, it's about every mother who also had to be a father, every father who also had to be a mother, and everyone who's made the choice to follow their dreams. Thanks for having me on today.

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