Theatre audiences are inspired daily by the works of Broadway’s brightest, but did you ever wonder what iconic performances inspired your favorite Broadway star to get there? BroadwayBox got all spiffed up and headed to the JW Marriot to chat with the 2014 Drama Desk nominees to find out from them: What was the film, TV show or theatre piece that inspired you to become an actor?

Brian J. Smith (Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, The Glass Menagerie)

“Cherry Jones in Doubt. I saw her do that when I was a first year in Juilliard. I was going through a really, really rough time; I forgot how to walk and talk simultaneously. And I went and saw her do that, and it really, really, really inspired me to push through that difficult period because I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. I actually waited and waited and waited for her at the stage door afterwards (because Cherry takes her time) and I said, ‘I never do this, but I just want to shake your hand and tell you that one of these days we will work together.’ It was very cocky of me—and I’m usually not like that—but I felt I had to do that in that moment; and seven years later, here we are. It’s crazy.”

See a glimpse of Smith’s OCC-winning and Drama Desk and Tony-nominated performance in The Glass Menagerie below.