Actor and 'Dancing With the Stars' contestant Gilles Marini told Bonnie Hunt that he owes his career to none other than Will Smith, who he encountered in a hotel restaurant while working as a waiter. Smith, who was in town at the time training for 'Ail,' encouraged Marini to pursue his dream of acting, he said on 'The Bonnie Hunt Show' (weekdays, syndicated).

"He gave me a boost. [He said], 'If you dream of something ... Los Angeles is the right place to go.' And, I thought, 'Hey, why not?' I just moved out and now it's history. I guess it worked out," Marini said.

Watch the video after the jump.Actor and 'Dancing With the Stars' contestant Gilles Marini told Bonnie Hunt that he owes his career to none other than Will Smith, who he encountered in a hotel restaurant while working as a waiter. Smith, who was in town at the time training for 'Ail,' encouraged Marini to pursue his dream of acting, he said on 'The Bonnie Hunt Show' (weekdays, syndicated).

"He gave me a boost. [He said], 'If you dream of something ... Los Angeles is the right place to go.' And, I thought, 'Hey, why not?' I just moved out and now it's history. I guess it worked out," Marini said.