Many machines have replaced or greatly reduced the need for human labor. What makes acting deserving of special protection from automation?
Acting is not a one-way street like machines are. For example, a combine does one thing really well: cut down and process a crop. It does not make marinara sauce, does not swim in the ocean, does not make hamburgers, and a whole host of other things.
Whereas an actor/actress isn't just repeating lines. They are emoting so you and I believe they are who they are portraying. They are moving within the scene. They may jump, be suspended from wires, dive into water, or even look as if they are cooking for a role. They have a wide range of things they need to do as an actor/actress. And unlike a combine, they may portray a variety of characters. In the case of Kilmer, he's portray a jet pilot, a gunshooter, a criminal, a PhD candidate working on a laser, and a singer, to name a few. Each of those are distinct from one another and require the person to change how they act.
* It was nearly 8 at night and I hadn't eaten supper yet so my post does lean heavily on food refrences.