A Denison High School graduate who spent decades working behind the scenes in Hollywood visited his former school to discuss his career with current students.
Lee Mayes has contributed to productions including Rudy, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Scary Movie, and White Chicks. He told the audience that his fascination with cinema began in childhood, noting that neighbors would alert his parents when he reenacted scenes from movies they had just watched.
Mayes performed in his senior play at Denison High School but admitted that a future in the film industry felt distant to many people in the community at the time. His professional path was not straightforward. After serving in the Navy, he held jobs at Sears and in real estate before taking film classes and relocating to New York.
He was 34 years old when he finally entered the industry. Mayes recounted that his initial assignment involved repairing a dishwasher for a colleague, an act that helped launch his career.
"I’m in the door. I’m in the room," Mayes said. "Now my first job was to fix his dishwasher… and that launched my career."
During his visit, Mayes emphasized the importance of recognizing and seizing chances for advancement. He advised students that once an opportunity arises, they must be prepared to perform well.
"What you’re looking for are opportunities. That’s the critical thing," he said. "And then you got to be able to deliver the goods when you got the opportunity."
