[3] Pictures and newspaper clippings in his office reveal that he and his younger brother Theodore ("Teddy" for short) were sons of a circus clown; they joined the police force in 1925 and started their own private investigation service in 1938.

The brothers quickly established a reputation for rescuing Toons in trouble, such as solving the kidnapping of Donald Duck's nephews and clearing Goofy of espionage charges.

The tragedy left Eddie with a distaste for Toons in general; his business collapsed, losing the respect of most of the police force and he became an alcoholic, suffering from PTSD and depression.

In the novel Who P-P-P-Plugged Roger Rabbit?, Valiant has once again vowed to no longer take any Toon cases, but is forced to do so when Baby Herman is found dead.

Before Hoskins was cast, other actors who were considered for the role include Bill Murray, Harrison Ford, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Clint Eastwood, Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams, Robert Redford, Ed Harris, Don Lane, Chevy Chase and Edward James Olmos