Hayes exposed piano, performance and conducting at Illinois State University but left before graduating. He worked as a authoritative piano player & served as a director at a [http://www.pheasantrun.com/theater/index.htm Pheasant Run Theater] in Chicago. He too composed original music for the production of Antigone at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. He as well participated in The Second City improvisational comedy troupe.

Hayes moved to Los Angeles in 1995, where he discovered act as a stand-up comedian and as an actor in television commercials. Inside the Doritos ad broadcast during a Super Bowl in early 1998, he and the brother come inside the laundromat, watching open-mouthed as a baby (model Ali Landry) sashays by them.

His film debut in the independent film ''Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss (1998) brought him wide attention and caught the attention of executives who cast him in the NBC comedy television series Will & Grace'', as the constantly unemployed, gay, aspiring actor, Jack McFarland. the indicate became a hit & Hayes' comedic performance earned him 4 Emmy Award nominations. He won the Emmy Award for Great Supporting Actor around a Comedy Series around 2001.

His profits has led him to film appearances around Cats & Dogs (2001), as Jerry Lewis in Martin and Lewis (2002), Pieces of April (2003), The Cat in the Hat (2003) and Win a Date With Tad Hamilton! (2004).

Inside 2005, Hayes executive produced Situation Comedy for Bravo, a reality show like Project Greenlight for sitcoms. He likewise executive produced them winning scripts, chosen by NBC: The Sperm Donor and ''Stephen's Life''.

He is the youngest of 5 tykes. He doesn't discuss his personal life publicly.

"When you see me play Jack, I want you to believe that that's a gay character. After Will & Grace is over, when I play a straight character, I want you to believe that, too." - Etcetera interview