Rob Mayes

Rob Mayes is an American actor, musician, model, and producer born on November 17, 1984, in Cleveland, Ohio.^[1] Raised in Ohio with Lithuanian heritage on his mother's side, Mayes developed an early interest in music influenced by his mother's accordion playing, leading him to learn guitar and piano.^[2][1] He began his acting career in the late 2000s, gaining recognition for his breakout role as the titular character John in the 2012 horror comedy film John Dies at the End, directed by Don Coscarelli and co-starring Paul Giamatti.^[3][2][4] Mayes subsequently appeared in television series such as ABC's Mistresses (2013–2016), where he played the recurring role of Marc Nickleby, Lifetime's The Client List (2012–2013), The CW's 90210 (2008–2013), and Fox's Frequency (2016–2017).^[3][2][4] His film credits also include Deep Blue Sea 2 (2018), Ice Castles (2010), and A Soldier's Revenge (2020), the latter featuring Val Kilmer; more recent roles include The Neon Highway (2024) and Where the Wind Blows (2025).^[5][3] In addition to acting, Mayes pursues a career as a country music artist and songwriter, releasing singles such as "Road With No Lines" (which garnered over 150,000 Spotify streams as of 2019, more than 1,000 radio spins, reaching an audience of 1 million), "My Heart is Bleeding," and "Closer" from his 2019 debut EP. His later releases include the 2021 album Didn't Do This on My Own.^[5] His music has earned accolades, including finalist status at the International Acoustic Music Awards (IAMA) and International Songwriting Competition (ISC), and a spot on Entertainment Focus Country's 10 Best Country Songs of 2019 for "Road With No Lines"; tracks have also been featured on Spotify playlists and CMT's "Next Up Now."^[5]

Early life

Childhood and family

Rob Mayes was born on November 17, 1984, in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He grew up in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ohio, in a household led by his mother, Diana Mayes, and shared with his younger brother, Alex. Mayes hails from a family with traditional Lithuanian heritage on his mother's side. His mother played the accordion, which ignited his early fascination with music and creativity. His father contributed to the local music scene by performing on drums in a jazz band alongside relatives, fostering an environment rich in musical influences. The Mayes family placed a strong emphasis on artistic expression, with several members skilled on instruments—his uncle on accordion and grandfather on banjo, for instance. This creative upbringing provided a foundational exposure to the arts, leading Mayes to begin modeling at age five as an extension of those family pursuits.

Education and early interests

Mayes grew up in the Cleveland area of Ohio and attended University School in Hunting Valley, graduating in 2003. His family's musical background played a key role in shaping his early passions, with his mother playing the accordion and his father performing on drums, exposing him to a variety of genres from a young age.^[6][7] Influenced by these surroundings, Mayes began piano lessons at age five and later took up the guitar as an early teenager, finding natural aptitude in both instruments. He frequently listened to country music in the car with his father and attended live shows starting as young as eight years old, which ignited his enduring interest in the genre and performance. During his high school years, these experiences deepened his passion for music, laying the foundation for his later creative pursuits.^[6][8][7][9] Following high school, Mayes spent a year studying biology and theater at Dulwich College in London, England. Motivated by the September 11, 2001, attacks to serve his country, he then enrolled at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, with aspirations of becoming a Navy SEAL. However, after about a year and a half, he left the academy without completing a degree to follow his interests in entertainment.^[10][11][6]

Acting career

Beginnings in modeling and acting

Rob Mayes began modeling during his childhood in Ohio, participating in local gigs and commercials that sparked his early interest in the entertainment industry.^[12] After attending the U.S. Naval Academy for two years, he left at age 21 in 2005; in 2007, he relocated from his hometown of Cleveland to New York City to pursue a professional career in modeling and acting.^[13] Upon arriving in New York, Mayes proactively sought representation by compiling a list of talent agents from a directory and visiting their offices, while balancing modeling assignments with frequent acting auditions amid the competitive landscape.^[13] Just two weeks after settling in New York in 2007, Mayes secured his first professional acting role, appearing in a guest spot on the NBC series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.^[14] This early television credit marked his entry into on-screen work, though he continued to face significant challenges, including persistent rejections and self-doubt that tested his resolve in an industry known for its emotional volatility.^[8] To sustain himself, he supplemented income through modeling while auditioning for small parts in short films and commercials, gradually transitioning toward more substantial opportunities.^[2] In the late 2000s, Mayes moved to Los Angeles to expand his acting prospects, drawn by a film project that required his presence on the West Coast.^[8] There, he took on minor film appearances and built his resume with entry-level roles, including the lead in the 2008 TV movie The American Mall, and a notable guest appearance as Tommy Nutter on the ABC Family series Jane by Design in 2012, which highlighted his emerging on-screen presence.^[15][16] Throughout this foundational period, Mayes had no major leading roles until the mid-2000s had evolved into steady, albeit modest, work by the early 2010s, all while occasionally pursuing music as a creative outlet alongside his primary focus on acting.^[17]

Breakthrough and notable roles

Mayes achieved his breakthrough in acting with the lead role of John in the 2012 horror-comedy film John Dies at the End, directed by Don Coscarelli, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and marked him as a promising talent in independent cinema.^[18] The film's cult following helped elevate his profile, leading to more prominent television opportunities. Following this, he portrayed Derek Malloy, a masseur entangled in the show's central drama, in the Lifetime series The Client List (2012–2013), starring opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt as the lead.^[19] His role as the series regular Marc Nickleby in ABC's Mistresses (2013–2016) further solidified his rise, where he played a complex romantic interest across four seasons, balancing intense drama with lighter ensemble dynamics.^[20] In subsequent years, Mayes expanded his television presence with recurring roles, including an appearance as Co-Pilot Mike in an episode of Paramount+'s Special Ops: Lioness (2023). On the film side, he took on supporting roles in genre projects like the shark thriller Deep Blue Sea 2 (2018), where he played scientist Trent Slater, and the Western A Soldier's Revenge (2020), portraying the antagonist Briggs opposite Val Kilmer.^[21][22] Mayes' career evolved in the late 2010s toward a broader range of genres, encompassing horror, drama, Westerns, and holiday-themed films such as My Christmas Inn (2019), while venturing into production on select projects. Recent works include the leading role of Wayne Collins, an aspiring musician, in the drama The Neon Highway (2024), and the villainous Lonnie in the Western Where the Wind Blows (2025).^[23][24] Throughout this period, particularly during the Mistresses run, Mayes balanced his acting commitments with his burgeoning music career, releasing singles and performing live. He has garnered recognition for his charismatic portrayals of leading men, often blending vulnerability with intensity, which has sustained his steady work across television and film.^[5]

Music career

Entry into music

Rob Mayes' interest in music was deeply rooted in his family background, where music was a constant presence during gatherings; his father played drums, one uncle played the accordion, another the tenor saxophone, and his grandfather was proficient on the Les Paul guitar and banjo.^[25] Introduced to country music at a young age in Cleveland, Ohio, Mayes began piano lessons at five and developed a parallel passion for songwriting alongside his acting pursuits, releasing a self-produced pop-rock EP titled Glimpses of Truth around 2006-2007 that incorporated country elements but received limited promotion following his time at the U.S. Naval Academy.^[25][26][8] By the early 2010s, while establishing his acting career, he started writing country songs more seriously, drawing from childhood exposures to draw from family jam sessions and a broad musical upbringing that included jazz influences from his parents.^[27] Mayes' official entry into the country music industry occurred in the late 2010s when he signed with management and shifted focus toward professional releases, motivated by a lifelong affinity for the genre and a desire to blend his acting visibility with musical expression.^[10] His debut single in the country space, "Closer," arrived in April 2019, followed shortly by "Road With No Lines" in May 2019, which he co-wrote and which amassed over 127,000 Spotify streams within months, along with more than 1,000 terrestrial radio spins reaching an audience of 1 million.^[5][28] These early tracks marked his independent approach initially, with production handled at Nashville studios like Pentavarit, before aligning with the independent label Empire.^[28][29] Influenced by country artists he admired from childhood, including Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton as his biggest inspiration, Dwight Yoakam, and Chris Stapleton, Mayes is classically trained on piano but self-taught on guitar, using it to experiment with chords and progressions from a young age.^[25][30] To develop his music, he began traveling frequently to Nashville around 2018 for writing and recording sessions, eventually relocating there full-time in 2022 after years of back-and-forth.^[31] One of the primary challenges in Mayes' transition to music was balancing his demanding acting schedule, which often required splitting time between Los Angeles and Nashville, while initially pursuing releases independently without major label support.^[25] His established acting profile, including roles in series like Mistresses, provided an initial platform to gain visibility for his music through cross-promotion and fan overlap.^[25]

Key releases and achievements

Rob Mayes released his debut EP, Closer, on September 20, 2019, featuring seven tracks that marked his entry into country music as a singer-songwriter.^[32] The EP, including the lead single "Closer," gained visibility through placements on Spotify's editorial playlists such as "New Music Nashville," contributing to early radio airplay across the U.S.^[32] In 2025, Mayes followed with his second EP, Can You Hear Me Now?, released on March 28, which comprises six tracks exploring a diverse range of country styles from traditional to genre-blending elements.^[33] Among his notable singles, "Kiss the Night" from 2019 captured a sultry, date-night vibe inspired by his acting experiences, while "4th of July," debuting on July 4, 2025, emerged as a standout summer anthem.^[7][34] The music video for "Closer" was featured in CMT's "Next Up Now" series, spotlighting emerging country talent.^[32] Mayes' songwriting has earned recognition as a finalist in the International Acoustic Music Awards (IAMA) for both "We'll See" and "Road With No Lines," a finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition for "Road With No Lines," and a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) for the same track.^[35] By 2025, his music catalog had amassed millions of combined streams across platforms, reflecting growing listener engagement.^[36] Looking ahead, Mayes is set to appear in season 2 of iHeart's scripted podcast series Make It Up As We Go in 2025, a narrative-driven production blending country music with storytelling, featuring guests such as Dennis Quaid and Miranda Lambert.^[37] This project aligns with his acting roots, as seen in his role in the 2024 film The Neon Highway, where he portrays a budding country artist navigating the music industry.^[38]

Personal life

Family background

Rob Mayes was raised in Pepper Pike, Ohio, primarily by his mother, Diana Mayes, of Lithuanian ancestry, alongside his younger brother, Alex Mayes.^[39][40] His father, Robert F. Mayes, completes the immediate family unit.^[1] The family preserves their Lithuanian heritage through ongoing traditions, notably the Christmas Eve observance of Kūčios, which features a meal of fish, gift exchanges, and wine.^[41] Music has remained a central element of family life into adulthood, with Mayes crediting early exposure from his mother's accordion playing as a key influence, though his father's involvement receives less emphasis in later accounts.^[6][42]

Relationships

Rob Mayes began dating Lexie Contursi, a cast member from the MTV reality series Laguna Beach, in March 2022. The couple made their relationship public shortly thereafter, appearing together at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 30th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on March 27, 2022.^[43] On October 8, 2025, Mayes proposed to Contursi, marking their engagement after approximately three and a half years together; the couple announced the news via Instagram posts, with Contursi sharing photos of the ring and Mayes expressing his gratitude for her acceptance.^[44][45] Mayes has no documented prior public relationships or marriages, consistently prioritizing privacy in his personal affairs. His songwriting draws inspiration from relational themes, such as the fictional narrative of an ex-wife and personal sacrifices in projects like Baby, I'm Fine.^[25]

Filmography

Film

Rob Mayes has appeared in numerous feature films, direct-to-video releases, and short films throughout his career. The following is a chronological list of his film credits, including roles and production involvement where applicable.^[2][3]

Television

Mayes began his television career with guest appearances on established series before transitioning to recurring and lead roles in prime-time dramas. His notable television credits include:

• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2007, NBC) – Matt Schroeffel (1 episode, guest star).
• Bones (2009, Fox) – Young Man (1 episode, guest star).
• Medium (2010, CBS) – Young Fireman (1 episode, guest star).
• Hound Dogs (2011, TBS) – Cash (recurring role in the short-lived series).
• NCIS (2012, CBS) – Kyle Baxter (1 episode, guest star).
• Jane by Design (2012, ABC Family) – Tommy Nutter (4 episodes, recurring).
• 90210 (2012, The CW) – Colin Andrews (5 episodes, recurring).
• The Client List (2012–2013, Lifetime) – Derek Malloy (series regular, 20 episodes).^[19]
• Mistresses (2013–2016, ABC) – Dominic Taylor (series regular, 39 episodes).^[20]
• Legends (2014, TNT) – Tom Wagner (1 episode, guest star).
• Finding Carter (2015, MTV) – Rick (2 episodes, guest star).^[50]
• CSI: Cyber (2015, CBS) – Elijah (1 episode, guest star).
• Frequency (2016–2017, The CW) – Stan Moreno (recurring, 13 episodes).
• Special Ops: Lioness (2024, Paramount+) – Co-Pilot Mike (1 episode, guest star).^[51]
• Tracker (2024, CBS) – Jesse Pardue (1 episode, guest star).^[52]
• The Rookie (2025, ABC) – Kiernan Maxwell (1 episode, guest star).
• A Grand Ole Opry Christmas (2025, NBC, TV movie) – Jett Wade (lead role).
• The Beach Read Murders (2025, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, TV movie) – Logan (lead role). Released August 29, 2025.^[53]

Mayes has also been attached to post-production TV projects including A Christmas Murder Mystery (2025, TV movie) as Troy Sterling. Scheduled release December 7, 2025.^[54]

Discography

Albums

Rob Mayes has released several full-length albums as part of his country music career. Didn't Do This on My Own, released in 2021, is a compilation album featuring 18 tracks, including earlier singles like "Road with No Lines" and "Prospector."^[55] Greatest Thing, his 2021 release, includes original songs showcasing his songwriting.^[56] Ain't Nothin' To See Here, released in 2022, contains 17 tracks blending country and rock elements.^[57] WEIGHT 2 LOSE, issued in 2023, continues his exploration of personal themes in country music.^[58]

EPs

Rob Mayes has released four extended plays as part of his country music career. Closer is his debut EP, released on September 20, 2019, featuring 7 tracks including "Kiss the Night," "Closer," and "All It Takes," produced by Smith Curry and issued independently under HOGCITY.^[59][32][60] Songs from the Sofa: A Quarantine Project, his second EP, was released on October 9, 2020, containing 4 self-recorded tracks such as "Avalon" and "Marvelous Life," produced at home during the COVID-19 quarantine and distributed via HOGCITY.^[61][62][63] Can You Hear Me Now, his third EP as of 2025, came out on March 28, 2025, with 6 tracks like "Imagine That" and "Lay It On Me," again produced by Smith Curry and released under HOGCITY, showcasing a mix of country styles.^[64][65][66] These EPs have been well-received for their authentic songwriting and production, contributing to Mayes' growing presence in country music.^[60][65]

Singles

Rob Mayes has issued a series of standalone singles outside of his EPs and albums, often blending country, rock, and pop elements, with releases spanning from 2019 onward. These tracks have garnered attention through streaming platforms and radio play, highlighting his songwriting and vocal style. Key standalone singles include:

• Road with No Lines (May 17, 2019): Co-written by Mayes, Kevin Leach, J. Michael Harter, and Evan Williams; self-released. The track accumulated over 150,000 Spotify streams, exceeded 1,000 terrestrial radio spins, reaching an audience of 1 million.^[67][68][5]
• Kiss the Night (August 23, 2019): Written and performed by Mayes; self-released ahead of his debut EP. Described as a sultry country track, it premiered exclusively on Billboard and contributed to building anticipation for his early catalog.^[7]
• Grandpa's Hands (November 15, 2019): Written and performed by Mayes; self-released. A heartfelt tribute to family influences, the single received positive coverage for its emotional depth following his EP release.^[69][70]
• Keep On Lovin' You (2021): A cover single released independently, showcasing Mayes' interpretive style in the country genre.^[56]

In 2025, Mayes continued with frequent single releases under HOGCITY, including 4th of July (July 4, 2025): Co-written by Mayes, Justine Blazer, and Steve O'Brien; featuring Blazer. This mid-tempo country track about a fleeting romance debuted on streaming platforms and marked a collaborative highlight in his recent output.^[71][72][73] Other 2025 singles, such as happy hour, , who i'm supposed to be, COLD PILLOW, and BURYING BODIES, further demonstrate his prolific independent output, emphasizing themes of relationships and personal reflection (released throughout 2025).^[58][74]