Joseph Andrew “Drew” Starkey has become one of Hollywood’s most talked-about young actors in 2025. Standing at 6’2″ (1.88m) and born on November 4, 1993, this 31-year-old Scorpio from North Carolina transformed from a college graduate with no clear path into a Netflix sensation and acclaimed film star.
Quick Bio facts about Drew Starkey
| Quick Facts | Details |
| Full Name | Joseph Andrew “Drew” Starkey |
| Age | 31 years old (as of 2025) |
| Height | 6’2″ (1.88m) |
| Birth Date | November 4, 1993 |
| Birthplace | North Carolina, USA |
| Parents | Todd Starkey, Jodi Ballard Hutto |
| Siblings | Brooke, Mackayla, Logan |
| Education | Western Carolina University (2016) |
| Known For | Outer Banks, Queer |
| @drewstarkey (4M+ followers) |
Personal Background
Drew Starkey’s family moved frequently across the Blue Ridge Mountains region during his childhood. His father, Todd Starkey, currently coaches Kent State’s women’s basketball team, while his mother, Jodi Ballard Hutto, works as a school counselor. The family has deep entertainment roots – his grandfather performed in the original Broadway cast of “Once Upon a Mattress” in the late 1950s.
Growing up as the eldest of four children with siblings Brooke, Mackayla, and Logan, he initially followed the athletic path expected in his family. The frequent moves taught him adaptability – a skill that would serve him well in his acting career.
His Scorpio personality traits show in his approach to career challenges. “I don’t like to get revenge, but I will hold onto that feeling to motivate myself… I like when people hate on you… I just use it as fuel,” he told Interview Magazine in 2024.
Drew Starkey Education and Early Development
Drew Starkey attended St. Stephens High School in Hickory where he discovered acting during his freshman year. Before this, he focused on baseball and basketball, following his family’s athletic tradition. A drama teacher changed his trajectory by encouraging him to pursue acting seriously.
He graduated from Western Carolina University in 2016 with a double major in English and theater performance. This academic foundation gave him the analytical skills to approach complex characters.
“When I was 19, a teacher told me that I should do this with my life. And I was like, oh…” he told in a W Magazine 2025 interview.
Early Career Struggles (2016-2020)
After graduation, Drew Starkey made an unconventional choice by moving to Atlanta instead of Los Angeles. “My whole life, I was like, I got to get out of the South—and then I moved further south,” he recalled in W Magazine. Atlanta’s growing film industry provided opportunities for newcomers willing to take any role.
For three years, he described himself as “a traveling one-man show,” working across the Southeast. His first professional job was on a Fox television show playing “a punk-ass kid who gets pulled over by the cops.” The experience overwhelmed him: “That day, I wished there was a tour guide. No one explains it to you.”
His early TV work included Mercy Street, Shots Fired, Ozark, Brockmire, and Scream: Resurrection. Each role taught him about different genres and working with established actors.
Drew Starkey Breakthrough Success
Outer Banks Phenomenon (2020-present)
Drew Starkey’s career transformed when he landed Rafe Cameron in Netflix’s Outer Banks. The series premiered during the COVID-19 lockdown and became a cultural phenomenon. “During the pandemic, it was that and Tiger King,” Starkey noted in a GQ profile. “Everybody was locked in their homes.”
Rafe Cameron, the privileged and unstable older brother, evolved from a typical antagonist into television’s most complex villain. According to PopSugar, his season three buzzcut transformation made the character “decidedly harder to root against.”
The show’s success created an internet phenomenon. Starkey even watched Jersey Shore with castmates during filming, calling it “the peak of American culture.”
Supporting Film Roles During Peak TV Success
While Outer Banks brought fame, Drew Starkey built his film resume with American Animals (2018), Just Mercy (2019), and The Devil All the Time (2020). His role as Tommy Matson showed his range in darker material.
Hellraiser (2022) connected him with actress Odessa A’Zion, leading to relationship speculation. The Other Zoey (2023) demonstrated his romantic comedy skills as Zach MacLaren.
Artistic Evolution: The Luca Guadagnino Collaboration
Drew Starkey’s most significant career milestone came with Luca Guadagnino’s Queer (2024), adapted from William S. Burroughs’s novella. Playing Eugene Allerton opposite Daniel Craig’s William Lee, he lost 30 pounds for the role.
“I got a little bit too thin, and Luca was like, ‘Hey, bring it back up a little bit,'” Starkey revealed to Omar Apollo. The role required embodying Burroughs’s character with “feminine features” and enigmatic sexuality.
Guadagnino, who had never seen Outer Banks, discovered Starkey through an audition tape. Daniel Craig’s endorsement was immediate: “That’s the guy,” he told Luca Guadagnino, according to Variety. Craig later praised: “He’s such a wonderful, kind human being.”
For the role, Starkey worked with makeup artists on androgynous beauty. “We talked about blushing my cheeks a lot. I wore some eyeliner for a few scenes and light pink lipstick.”
The film received critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024, marking Starkey’s first major international recognition.
Drew Starkey Personal Philosophy and Lifestyle
Despite rising fame, Drew Starkey maintains a deliberately low-key lifestyle. “I need solitude. It’s the only way to get an understanding of who I am and recalibrate,” he told Apollo. His frugal personality shows in his spending habits: “I’m too frugal. I don’t spend any of my money.”
His most expensive possession remains his Toyota Tacoma truck, purchased from his local Hickory dealership and driven cross-country to California. This symbolizes an actor who has traveled far while staying true to his roots.
Starkey describes himself as “spiritually homeless right now” despite growing up religious, showing his thoughtful approach to life’s bigger questions.
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Drew Starkey Interests and Hobbies
Drew Starkey’s diverse interests reflect his active North Carolina upbringing:
Athletic pursuits:
- Baseball, basketball, football
- Body surfing and swimming
- Mountain climbing and mountain biking
- Fishing and weight-lifting
Creative interests:
- Piano and guitar playing
- Writing and reading (especially John Steinbeck’s East of Eden)
- Harry Potter series re-reading
He has strong opinions about entertainment and food. He loves Jersey Shore but hates karaoke: “I try to be a smart-ass and do something like ‘Tequila.'” His controversial food take? “White bread over any other bread, 100 percent.”
Professional Relationships and Industry Recognition
Daniel Craig praised Starkey to Variety: “He’s such a beautiful human being and young and so dedicated.” Luca Guadagnino described him as “cheeky and ironic and dedicated and smart and sophisticated.”
In 2024, Starkey collaborated with Loewe and creative director Jonathan Anderson, appearing at Paris Fashion Week. This partnership bridges his Southern roots with international fashion culture.
Starkey maintains close friendships like with Omar Apollo, sharing wild nights in Rome during Queer filming including drag shows and 5 AM rain walks.
Drew Starkey Current Projects and Future Prospects
Beyond Outer Banks entering its fifth and final season, Drew Starkey has signed for Adam Wingard’s action-thriller Onslaught with A24, scheduled for 2027 release alongside Adria Arjona and Dan Stevens.
He’s also attached to the miniseries Lucky. These projects show careful selection – choosing directors and productions that challenge him artistically rather than capitalize on Netflix fame.
His collaboration with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross on Queer’s music left him starstruck: “I was unbelievably starstruck by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.”
Personal Relationships and Privacy
While linked romantically to Odessa A’Zion following their Hellraiser collaboration, Drew Starkey maintains privacy about personal relationships. Neither has confirmed romantic involvement despite frequent social media appearances together.
Starkey talks to “maybe two or three” people daily, reflecting his preference for meaningful connections over widespread networking. This small social circle aligns with his need for solitude and authentic relationships.
Cultural Impact and Internet Presence
Drew Starkey’s transformation from teen drama villain to arthouse leading man represents a new model for young actors. His @drewstarkey Instagram account has over 5 million followers, making him one of the internet’s current “boyfriends.”
The Outer Banks phenomenon during COVID-19 lockdown created a unique cultural moment. Starkey and the cast became symbols of escapist entertainment when people needed it most.
His ability to maintain authenticity while navigating Hollywood’s pressures resonates with audiences seeking genuine personalities in an artificial industry.
Drew Starkey Legacy and Current Status
At 31, Drew Starkey has successfully navigated from regional theater to international film festivals. His willingness to take physical and emotional risks for roles shows commitment to craft over comfort.
Starkey’s collaboration with Guadagnino opens doors to other acclaimed directors. His projects now span continents and genres, from A24 action films to international fashion collaborations.
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Conclusion
Drew Starkey’s rise from North Carolina college graduate to international film star showcases persistence, smart choices, and authentic talent. From Rafe Cameron’s complex villainy to Eugene Allerton’s enigmatic sexuality, he has proven his range and dedication.
His collaboration with Daniel Craig and Luca Guadagnino elevated him from teen drama star to serious actor. By choosing Atlanta over Los Angeles initially, then selecting projects that challenged him artistically, Starkey built a foundation supporting both commercial and critical success.
FAQ about Drew Starkey
Q: How tall is Drew Starkey?
A: Drew Starkey is 6’2″ (1.88m) tall.
Q: What is Drew Starkey’s age in 2025?
A: Drew Starkey is 31 years old, born November 4, 1993.
Q: Is Drew Starkey married?
A: Drew Starkey has not confirmed marriage or relationship status, though he’s been linked to Odessa A’Zion.
Q: What is Drew Starkey’s net worth?
A: Drew Starkey’s net worth remains unverified. He describes himself as frugal with his Toyota Tacoma as his most expensive possession.
Q: What are Drew Starkey’s famous roles?
A: Drew Starkey is known for Rafe Cameron in Outer Banks and Eugene Allerton in Queer opposite Daniel Craig.
Q: Where is Drew Starkey from?
A: Drew Starkey is from North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains region, attending St. Stephens High School in Hickory.
Q: What did Drew Starkey study?
A: He graduated from Western Carolina University in 2016 with majors in English and theater performance.
Q: How did Drew Starkey start acting?
A: A drama teacher at St. Stephens High School encouraged him during freshman year, transitioning from his sports focus.
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