Joseph Andrew Starkey, born on November 4, 1993, in Asheville, North Carolina, is an American actor. He began his career with supporting roles in the teen dramas Love, Simon and The Hate U Give (both released in 2018). Starkey gained wider recognition for his portrayal of Rafe Cameron in the Netflix series Outer Banks (2020–present) and has since starred in the romantic drama Queer (2025), directed by Luca Guadagnino. Growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, primarily in Hickory, North Carolina, Starkey is the oldest of four siblings. His father, Todd Starkey, is a college basketball coach, and his mother, Jodi Ballard Hutto, is a school counselor.
Drew Starkey Biography 2025
As a child, he was actively involved in baseball and basketball, and also developed a love for music, learning both guitar and piano. Starkey attended St. Stephens High School, where he became serious about acting after enrolling in a drama class as a freshman, which introduced him to plays by Samuel Beckett and other influential playwrights. Starkey graduated magna cum laude from Western Carolina University in 2016 with a double major in English and theater performance. After college, he moved to Atlanta to join two friends in starting a production company and began pursuing acting opportunities. He now resides in Los Angeles.
Drew Starkey Biography Details
| Born |
November 4, 1993 (age 31)
Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.
|
| Occupation |
Actor |
| Years active |
2014–present |
| Father |
Todd Starkey |
Drew Starkey Early Life
Starkey was born in Asheville, North Carolina, to Todd Starkey, a college basketball coach for the Kent State women’s team, and Jodi Ballard Hutto, a school counselor. As the eldest of four children, Starkey’s family frequently moved around the Blue Ridge Mountains, though he primarily grew up in Hickory, North Carolina. As a child, Starkey played both baseball and basketball, and also developed an interest in music, learning to play the guitar and piano.
He attended St. Stephens High School in Hickory, where he became passionate about acting after taking a drama class in his freshman year, which he described as “a lot of Samuel Beckett and stuff.” Starkey graduated magna cum laude from Western Carolina University in 2016, earning dual degrees in English and theater performance. Afterward, he moved to Atlanta to join two friends who were starting a production company, and began pursuing acting roles through auditions.
Drew Starkey Family
| Drew Starkey’s Early Life |
Information |
| Birth Date |
November 4, 1993 |
| Birthplace |
Asheville, North Carolina |
| Father’s Occupation |
College-basketball coach for Kent State women’s team |
| Mother’s Occupation |
School counselor |
| Siblings |
Oldest of four children |
| Growing Location |
Hickory, North Carolina |
| Childhood Interests |
Baseball, basketball, guitar, piano |
Education and Early Career
| Drew Starkey’s Education |
Information |
| High School |
St. Stephens High School, Hickory, NC |
| College |
Western Carolina University |
| Degree |
Double major in English and Theater Performance |
| Graduation Year |
2016 |
| College Honors |
Magna Cum Laude |
Initial Career Steps
| Early Career Events |
Information |
| First Job After College |
Moved to Atlanta to join a production company |
| Acting Beginnings |
Started auditioning for roles after college |
Television Career
| Drew Starkey’s TV Roles |
Information |
| 2017: Mercy Street |
Gambling Soldier, Episode: “Unknown Soldier” |
| 2017: Shots Fired |
Clint Jr., Episode: “Hour Four: Truth” |
| 2017: Ozark |
Boy, Episode: “Ruling Days” |
| 2018: Scream: Resurrection |
Hawkins, 4 episodes |
| 2020: Outer Banks |
Rafe Cameron, Main role, 28 episodes |
Film Career
| Drew Starkey’s Film Roles |
Information |
| 2018: Love, Simon |
Garrett Laughlin |
| 2018: The Hate U Give |
Brian MacIntosh Jr. (Officer 115) |
| 2020: The Devil All the Time |
Tommy Matson |
| 2020: Embattled |
Tanner Van Holt |
| 2025: Queer |
Eugene Allerton |
Personal Life and Interests
| Drew Starkey’s Interests |
Information |
| Hobbies |
Music, sports |
| Music Skills |
Guitar, piano |
Career Highlights
| Drew Starkey’s Career Achievements |
Information |
| Breakout Role |
Rafe Cameron in Outer Banks |
| Recent Film |
Queer (2025) directed by Luca Guadagnino |
| Popular TV Series |
Outer Banks (2020–present) |
| Critical Acclaim |
Praised for diverse acting skills |
Notable Projects and Upcoming Work
| Drew Starkey’s Projects |
Information |
| Outer Banks |
Season 4 (2025) – Main role as Rafe Cameron |
| Queer |
2025 film directed by Luca Guadagnino |
Professional Growth
| Drew Starkey’s Growth Areas |
Information |
| Transition from TV to Film |
Starred in a variety of films, including dramas and thrillers |
| Acting Range |
Versatile roles from troubled teen to complex characters |
Impact on the Entertainment Industry
| Drew Starkey’s Impact |
Information |
| Genre Contributions |
Teen drama, adventure series, romantic drama |
| Role Recognition |
Known for playing complex and multifaceted characters |
Public Image
| Drew Starkey’s Public Image |
Information |
| On-Screen Persona |
Troubled teenager, deep and multifaceted characters |
| Public Perception |
Gained widespread recognition for his role in Outer Banks |
Achievements and Awards
| Drew Starkey’s Awards and Nominations |
Information |
| Award Nominations |
Nominated for several awards for Outer Banks and other roles |
Future Prospects
| Drew Starkey’s Future Roles |
Information |
| Upcoming Projects |
More diverse roles in both film and TV |
| Long-Term Career Goals |
Expand into leading roles across genres |
Final Thoughts on Drew Starkey’s Career
| Drew Starkey’s Legacy |
Information |
| Future in Hollywood |
Likely to become a major leading actor |
| Personal Growth |
Continues to evolve as an actor with each role |
Drew Starkey Net Worth
American actor Drew Starkey’s net worth is around $3 million.
Drew Starkey Summary
Drew Starkey, born November 4, 1993, in Asheville, North Carolina, is an American actor known for his breakthrough role as Rafe Cameron in Outer Banks. He began his career with supporting roles in films like Love, Simon and The Hate U Give, later gaining recognition for his versatile acting skills. Starkey graduated magna cum laude from Western Carolina University, where he double-majored in English and theater. His career continues to rise with roles in both television and film, including the 2025 film Queer. Currently based in Los Angeles, Starkey is quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s most promising young talents.
