[1][irrelevant citation] He began to pursue acting one year into his college education, attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.
He got as far as a screen test for the film The Lords of Discipline when he was hit, run over, and dragged by a truck on September 17, 1981 and his career was halted for three years as he recovered.
He moved to Los Angeles and landed a recurring role on the TV series Family Ties as Nick Moore for seasons 4 through 7.
During an interview for Montreal radio station CJAD, Valentine thought the role was not challenging enough for the money he was receiving, saying: "I'm so glad I went to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and to all the other fine acting institutions so I could grunt on primetime television.
[2] He has appeared since then as a guest actor in several hit television series such as CSI: NY, NewsRadio, and JAG; his first major motion picture, My Demon Lover; and numerous TV and direct-to-video films.