Initially, Shane Black wanted to pursue a career in acting, and his first acting role was in the movie Predator. While he was looking for acting work, Fred Dekker suggested Black try his hand at screenwriting. Black’s second screenplay was Lethal Weapon, which sold almost immediately, launching a franchise and aiding in Mel Gibson’s rise to fame. Other screenwriting credits from Black include Lethal Weapon 2, The Last Boy Scout (for which he received $1.75 million – a record at the time), Last Action Hero, and The Long Kiss Goodnight. Black moved into directing as well as writing with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and is set to both write and direct Iron Man 3. Fun fact: at least four of his screenplays take place during Christmas! Shane Black turns 51 today.