Scott Porter Reveals the Secret to His 12-Year Marriage to Kelsey Mayfield: ‘My Career Is Not Possible Without Her’ (Exclusive)

“She picks me up so often. I’m there for her when she needs me, and we always just check in with each other,” the actor tells PEOPLE

• Scott Porter told PEOPLE what makes his relationship “successful” with wife Kelsey Mayfield
• Five years after they met while he was acting in Friday Night Lights and she was a college cheerleader, they wed in 2013
• Since then, the couple has welcomed two children — son McCoy in 2015 and daughter Clover in 2017

Scott Porter is reflecting on being married to Kelsey Mayfield for 12 years.

The Ginny & Georgia actor, 45, exclusively told PEOPLE at the 2025 NAMI Mental Health Gala in Beverly Hills, Calif., on May 8 what makes his relationship “successful” with Mayfield, whom he met when he was acting in Friday Night Lights and she was a cheerleader at the University of Texas.

“We were at a concert last year, and the performer was like, ‘Everyone who has been together longer than a decade, raise your hands,’ and we raised our hands, and we thought it was fun,” he recalled of the 2024 moment.

“And he said, ‘How old? How old’s your relationship?’ And we said, ‘16 years because we dated for five before we got married,’ ” he continued, referencing their 2013 wedding. “And he goes, ‘Your relationship can drive,’ and we were like, ‘Whoa.’ It really put it in perspective for us.”

Asked at the gala to share the “secret” to their long-term marriage, the Hart of Dixie actor revealed that it’s a collaborative effort.

“What’s the secret? Just find your best partner. It’s just about finding that partnership,” he explained. “She picks me up so often. I’m there for her when she needs me, and we always just check in with each other. ‘What's your battery at? Are you at 50%? I can carry a little bit extra load today.’ She does the same thing for me. So, we check in with each other. We pick up that load. We keep moving forward. And it’s in every facet of life.”

Since their wedding 12 years ago, the couple has welcomed two children together — son McCoy in 2015 and daughter Clover in 2017.

“My career is not possible without her,” he further admitted. “Our beautiful kids aren’t taken care of without both of us being there. Her charitable endeavors don’t happen unless I’m there to pick up the slack sometimes.” 

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“I’m just very fortunate to be in a career where when I’m working, I’m working, yes, but when I’m home, I am home, and I get to spend so much time with her and with our kids,” he said. “So, I think all those things help make this particular relationship successful.”

Porter will reprise his role as Mayor Paul Randolph in Ginny & Georgia season 3, which premieres on Netflix on June 5.