Like most aspiring actors in late-1980s New York City, I was pretty damn sure I was the next big thing. Studying Meisner, reading Shepard, mimicking DeNiro. Then my teacher combined classes one day and young Kirk Baltz gave us all a rude awakening. This fresh-faced kid with a faraway gaze worked with a level of honesty and commitment that the rest of us could hardly grasp. Naturally, we wanted to hate him for it, but he was such good guy – wrestling with his own insecurities and demons, and incorporating them into his work – that we could only admire him more for it. His plum roles in “Reservoir Dogs” and “Dances With Wolves” were no surprise to any of us. Recently, when Kirk graced our show, the buzz about him on set was much the same: While everyone else was busy acting, that Baltz guy was living on a whole ‘nother level. I must admit, that he now imparts wisdom and trade secrets to other actors makes me a little envious. Oh, what I’d give to be an acting student again, so Kirk could throw some of his magic my way. Advice to young actors: Run, don’t walk.