<Tr> <Th> Budget </Th> <Td> $55 million </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $307.1 million </Td> </Tr> <P> The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 American biographical drama film based on entrepreneur Chris Gardner's nearly one - year struggle being homeless . Directed by Gabriele Muccino, the film features Will Smith as Gardner, a homeless salesman . Smith's son Jaden Smith co-stars, making his film debut as Gardner's son, Christopher Jr . </P> <P> The screenplay by Steven Conrad is based on the best - selling memoir of the same name written by Gardner with Quincy Troupe . The film was released on December 15, 2006, by Columbia Pictures . For his performance, Smith was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Actor . </P>

Who played will smith's son in the pursuit of happiness