Chris Gardner Keynote Speaker

  • #1 best-selling author, "The Pursuit of Happyness" (2006)
  • Inspiration for the acclaimed movie, “The Pursuit of Happyness”
  • Leading motivational speaker on overcoming adversity

Chris Gardner's Biography

Chris Gardner is an entrepreneur, author and philanthropist.  Chris Gardner is an inspirational keynote speaker and addresses audiences on how to overcome obstacles and break cycles.

Chris is the author of the New York Times and Washington Post #1 best-selling autobiography, “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006), which has been translated into over forty languages. Chris is also the inspiration for the acclaimed movie “The Pursuit of Happyness” for which Will Smith, starring as Chris, received Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Award nominations for his performance. Chris’ second best-selling book, “Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be”, was published in May 2009.

In the fall of 2010, Chris was named the Ambassador of Pursuit and Happyness for AARP, a US-based NGO which has nearly 40 million members worldwide.

Always hard working and tenacious, a series of adverse circumstances in the early 1980’s left Chris homeless in San Francisco and the sole guardian of his toddler son. Unwilling to give up Chris Jr. or his dreams of success, Chris climbed the financial industry ladder from the very bottom. He worked at Dean Witter Reynolds and Bear Stearns & Co before founding the brokerage firm Gardner Rich in Chicago in 1987.

Chris Gardner’s aim, through his speaking engagements and media projects, is to help others achieve their full potential. He is a passionate philanthropist committed to organisations combating violence against women, homelessness, financial illiteracy and providing access to medical care and treatment; issues of the utmost importance to Chris.

Book Chris Gardner as a keynote speaker, send us a quick email.

Read More

Videos of Chris Gardner

Life Reimagined (2012)
On the Pursuit of Happiness (2014)

Check Chris Gardner's speaking fees and availability

Discover other speakers

Leanne Benjamin Speaker
Exclusive
Leanne Benjamin
Former Principal Dancer, The Royal Ballet
Chris Deaver and Ian Clawson Speaker
Exclusive
Chris Deaver and Ian Clawson
Leadership & Culture Shaping Experts and Co-Founders of BraveCore
JW,+interview,+LIAA_BiznesaForums_s-209+(1)
James Wallman Speaker
Exclusive
James Wallman
Futurist, Experience Strategist, Author of the best seller - 'Time and How to Spend It'
Darnell Moore Speaker
Exclusive
Darnell Moore
Author, Leading commentator on social justice issues
Anoushka Sinha Speaker
Anoushka Sinha Speaker
Exclusive
Anoushka Sinha
Human Rights activist who advocates for gender equality
Jeff Benedict Speaker
Exclusive
Jeff Benedict
Best-Selling Author & Special Features Writer, Sports Illustrated
Suzy Walton Speaker
Exclusive
Suzy Walton
Dr Suzy Walton is an expert in corporate governance – how companies run and indeed how government runs.
Jérôme Barthélemy Speaker
Exclusive
Jérôme Barthélemy
Strategist, Author, Educator, Consultant, Researcher & Keynote Speaker
Wendy Searle Speaker
Exclusive
Wendy Searle
Adventurer, mother of four - skied solo & unsupported to the South Pole
Craig Foster Speaker
Exclusive
Craig Foster
Academy Award Winning Documentary Filmmaker, My Octopus Teacher