Before award-winning movie star William Fichtner went on to appear in dozens of films and TV shows, he attended Maryvale High School in Cheektowaga.

Like many high schoolers, Fichtner didn't have a clear idea of what he wanted to pursue before he left his hometown. 

"Thank God I had a mom that was super supportive,” he said. “It's a time when you're figuring out the direction, you're going to get lost or not or make a commitment to something," said Fichtner.

Fichtner studied criminal justice at SUNY Brockport before he fell into the world of acting.

He assured students they might not always get it right the first time. 

"And I had this thing can I do that, can I try for that? Well listen I already got into college and no one thought that was going to happen. So, I started taking theatre classes that I could besides my major because you take so many classes that are your major and electives and I just started taking theatre classes not thinking I'm going to change what I'm going to do in my life," Fichtner said.

He returned to Western New York this week for the premiere of Cold Brook, his directorial debut. 

Monday's presentation was a part of Erie County Legislature John Bruso's Community Conversation Series, where topics from the opioid epidemic to veterans are discussed.

Bruso said it was important to speak with high schoolers to know they all fit in somewhere.

"So many times in high school, students in that age group, it's tough to fit in sometimes, you can always fit in if you find your niche," Bruso said.

"If you got a dream, if you don't believe in it or find it or imagine it, it probably won't come but if you do, if you hold on to it and think you can do something special, you will,” Fichtner said.