Chris Gardner the autobiography’s author and first-person protagonist. He was born on Feb 9th, 1954, the son of Bettye Jean Gardner and Thomas Turner, an already married man who was estranged from Gardner throughout Gardner’s childhood. Curious, clever and gifted, with a mother who believes him capable of anything, Gardner’s childhood is upended by his abusive and violent stepfather, Freddie Triplett. Freddie sends Bettye Jean to prison a few times and taunts Gardner about not having a father. Inspired by both his Uncle Henry and the transcendent music of Miles Davis, Gardner dreams of a future beyond his Milwaukee neighborhood. Throughout his life, Gardner is able to overcome numerous setbacks because of his intrinsic optimism and self-belief. In whatever he does, Gardner is hardworking, tenacious and unafraid to forge his own path.

Gardner is torn between his conflicting desires for control and adventure. As a child growing up under the violent, unpredictable Freddie, Gardner romanticizes notions of stability; however, he sabotages his marriage with Sherry Dyson in favor of excitement and wild sex. Driven by a challenge and the rush of adrenaline, Gardner shows no real desire to settle with any woman. However, when it comes to his children, he seeks to be a stable and protective figure.