On Tuesday, April 11, Alec Baldwin took to the stage of the Athenaeum Theatre for the latest event in Chicago Ideas’ Curiosity Series. In Conversation with Chicago Ideas’ CEO Jessica Malkin, “Alec Baldwin: Beyond The Screen” was an insightful, illuminating glance into an iconic actor with nearly four decades of credits to his name.

In the hour-long Conversation, Baldwin was happy to put himself on full display. At times, he played the role of a sage doling out advice, but these introspective moments were balanced against him sliding effortlessly into characters. The crowd reacted with unbridled exuberance, cheering wildly whenever a sharp, cutting impression made its way into the show.

But what resonated most was Baldwin’s ability to speak to universal truths in a warm, inviting way. His advice for young actors and actresses could be applicable to anyone grinding it out, attempting to gain a foothold in field they have affinity for. Similarly, his latent embrace of family, and the importance of not letting those moments slip past, spoke to the ongoing search for a work-life balance for which so many are continually striving.

Chicago Ideas has collected five of Baldwin’s most potent quotes, each one applicable in the present while also serving as a guiding light for the future.

“Don’t think about what you’re going to be when you’re in college—and I mean that—just read the great books.”

One point that Baldwin drove home time and again was the importance of being multifaceted. While he was effusive about all the wisdom he attained studying acting and theater, he drove home the virtues of being interdisciplinary. At several points, Baldwin spoke about the necessity of amassing as much knowledge as possible, and how that kind of hunger only makes a person more versatile in the long-run. A noted fan of literature, Baldwin was happy to call for those in the audience to crack open a book and dive in, saying that those are some of the best teachers we have access to, and they don’t come with a hefty admission fee.

“For me, there was a period of 10 years where it got a little dull, because I was chasing success and not the creative.”

When speaking to the aspiring actors in the crowd, Baldwin noted that it’s important to drop all pretenses, stating that people should “make everything about the work as much as possible.” But Baldwin was self-aware, breaking into a grin and joking that “Boss Baby is my Citizen Kane.” These pursuits of financial success and artistic fulfillment may not always align, but it’s about striving for both, and acknowledging that it’s okay to bounce between these two poles as long as you’re honest about it.

“That was always their line, ‘It’s a big swing. We’re going for the fences here.’”

When speaking about his time working on 30 Rock, Baldwin acknowledged that the writers behind-the-scenes always pushed him to take a leap of faith. Given that 30 Rock remains one of the most renowned sitcoms of our time—with some of the most distinct writing and acting—it spoke to the need to trust your collaborators and push your own boundaries, for the benefit of the final product.

“Watch the movie with the sound off.”

Though this statement was directed at film students, the message is applicable in a “stop and smell the roses” kind of way. Baldwin implored everyone in attendance to watch The Godfather with the sound off, taking in its beautiful staging and composition, but it’s advice that can be applied to daily life. It’s easy to get lost in the bigger picture, but it’s the little details that makes a work vibrant and evocative. It’s an exercise that’s about breaking from the norm, and taking in all the tiny details that so often slip past.

“Make everything about the work as much as possible.”

Near the end of his time on stage, Baldwin stressed the need to not get distracted by the glitz and glamor and to focus on the work that lies ahead. “Try to go as long as you can where you don’t care about money, fame, a big house,” noting that these perks are meant to be enjoyed, but not the priority.