Kip Thorne is a renowned American theoretical physicist known for his contributions to gravitational physics and astrophysics. He played a pivotal role in the development of the theory of gravitational waves, which was confirmed by the LIGO experiment in 2015, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2017. In addition to his scientific achievements, Thorne is also recognized for his work in popularizing science through literature and film. He served as a scientific consultant for the movie Interstellar, which incorporates many of his theories about black holes and time travel, making complex concepts accessible to a broader audience.