A simple-minded gardener named Chance (Peter Sellers) has spent his entire life employed by a man who cares for him and sees to all his needs. When the man dies, Chance is forced to leave, but is ill-equipped to survive on his own. He has few coping skills and, apart from what he knows about gardening, he only knows information learned from watching television. After being hit and injured by a limousine, Chance is befriended by Eve (Shirley McClain) and her husband, Ben (Melvyn Douglas), an ailing, influential businessman with political clout. The couple take him in and care for him. Ben sees Chance – whom he calls “Chauncey Gardiner” – as a confidante and sage adviser. This catapults Chance, and uncomfortably so, into the media spotlight.