Dear Billy Baldwin,

I want to become a successful actor. What can I do while at Binghamton University? What did you do?

Sincerely,

Desperate in Digman

“I didn’t study acting at Binghamton, so how it prepared me for my future is sort of a challenging question. Having said that, the arts programs at Binghamton are outstanding and the drama department is excellent. If I could do it all over again I would. Although, I don’t know if I would have been a drama major only; I think I would have double majored in political science and drama.

I graduated from Binghamton in 1985 and began taking acting classes in New York, something I would absolutely recommend to someone interested in acting. After three years of studying fairly intensely, I got an agent and things began to happen fairly quickly for me.

One thing that I do recommend is not putting all your eggs in one basket. In pure numbers, 97 percent don’t earn a living on acting. What I’ve done — working steadily over the past 20 years — is a rare occurrence, so students should concentrate heavily in the arts, but also have a plan B. It won’t harm them in any way; they’ll just have a more eclectic and expanded palate.

If you are an actor, I would recommend two things: First, base your career in New York instead of L.A., and second, get rooted in the New York theater community. New York has the vast majority of theater opportunities and an abundance of opportunities in film. But if you go there and immerse yourself in theater, you root yourself in and lay a foundation for your future. If you go directly to L.A., where it’s mostly television, you could guest appearance on “CSI: Miami,” but it doesn’t give you the success that most people want.

You’re going to want to diversify your career, learn about the business and if you have a desire to write, direct or produce so you can get into the creative side of the entertainment industry. There are patches where it’s no longer challenging or fulfilling. There are times where the phone isn’t ringing, and even though I definitely think that you want to put most of your focus on your career as an actor, once you’ve been around the block a few times, you might want to branch out and diversify and get behind the camera if the interest is there.”

— As told to Elena Cox