Biographie
Val Lauren is best known for his portrayal of Sal Mineo in the independent film "SAL," written and directed by James Franco.
The film debuted at the Venice Film Festival, where Val's performance earned widespread acclaim.
VARIETY praised, "...Val Lauren's warm, gregarious turn as the onetime teen heartthrob who never hit his Hollywood stride... the film conveys a poignant sense of time slipping away, made all the more affecting by Lauren... the curly-haired actor presents Sal as good-natured, eternally optimistic, and deeply committed to using his art to advance gay rights and awareness."
* Justin Chang
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER noted, "...the impressive front-and-center performance from curly-maned Val Lauren as Mineo, the diminutive New Yorker who became a 1950s teen idol... Sal serves effectively as a showcase for Lauren's energetic performance... Lauren is magnetic as an outgoing chatterbox... he's so at ease with Miller's dialogue that one wonders if the material might have been better served as a one-man play."
* Neil Young
LOS ANGELES TIMES called it "a groundbreaking performance."
VARIETY also highlighted "...real comic acting talent, particularly showcasing a very funny Lauren."
LOS ANGELES TIMES added, "Val Lauren, charismatic in the title role, suggests the vulnerability intrinsic to Mineo's screen work, most famously in 'Rebel Without A Cause.'"
* Sheri Linden
VIEW LONDON described it as "...a scene-stealing performance of Dustin Hoffman-like intensity by newcomer Val Lauren."
IN CONTENTION: VENICE FILM FESTIVAL commented, "...the film gains solemn credibility from the self-possessed, unmannered one-man show of the little-known Val Lauren as Mineo... the camera lingers dependently on his every gesture, and the film would falter without his full commitment."
AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL noted, "...lead actor Val Lauren brightly shines in what is often a very quiet role... Val Lauren is ultimately the main reason to watch, as his portrayal captures Mineo's spark and natural charm. His raw and relatable performance likely benefits from his extensive theater background, making it especially rewarding."
FILM BUZZ stated, "...great acting, especially by standout Val Lauren."
On stage, Val Lauren and frequent collaborator Scott Caan have premiered over a dozen of Caan's recently published plays.
Notably, Val directed and starred opposite Caan and Melanie Griffith in "No Way Around But Through."
Produced by Garry Marshall and Mike O'Malley, the comedy enjoyed a successful, sold-out, and extended run at Marshall's esteemed Falcon Theater.
