A long time member of the repertory theater company "Playhouse West", a west coast division of Sanford Meisner's "Neighborhood Playhouse."Starred in numerous plays there including three originals written by and co-starring Scott Caan.Excellent stage reviews lead to Val making the transition to independent films.Some of his characters include "Primo", a grief stricken man out to find his sisters rapist in "The Doorman", the psychotic hustler "Crazy Leroy" in "The Grey in Between", and the self destructive orphan "Max Modeen" in "True Love."Val also brought his edgy characterizations' to television shows including a recurring role on "24" as agent "Randy Murdoch", the traumatized soldier "Miguel Ramirez" in "American Dreams", and "CSI N.Y.", where he starred as "Jerry Gordon", a safe cracking criminal.Val again teamed up with Scott Caan to star in "Dallas 362" with Jeff Goldblum, Selma Blair, and Kelly Lynch.His stunning portrayal of a neurotic gambler received rave reviews and had critics opening their eyes wide to this new serious talent. One reviewer quoted his work as "...a scene stealing performance of Dustin Hoffman like intensity by new comer Val Lauren."Next, Val will star in the HBO miniseries "The Pacific", produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. He will play "John Basilone", a World War II marine who's extra ordinary achievements earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and Purple Heart.
