Drew Starkey

🎬 Drew Starkey: From Hickory to Hollywood's Rising Star

🗓 Personal Information

• Full Name: Joseph Andrew Starkey

• Date of Birth: November 4, 1993

• Age: 31 years old

• Place of Birth: Hickory, North Carolina, USA

• Height: 6'2" (188 cm)

• Occupation: Actor

• Years Active: 2014–present

• Notable Roles: Rafe Cameron in Outer Banks, Garrett Laughlin in Love, Simon, Eugene Allerton in Queer

• Social Media: Instagram

🏠 Early Life and Education

Drew Starkey was born in Hickory, North Carolina, to Todd Starkey, a college basketball coach, and Jodi Ballard Hutto, a school counselor. He is the eldest of four siblings. Growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Drew developed a passion for basketball and theater. He attended St. Stephens High School in Hickory, where he began to seriously pursue acting after joining a drama class in his freshman year. Drew graduated magna cum laude from Western Carolina University in 2016, majoring in English and Theatre Performance. Following college, he moved to Atlanta to join a production company and start auditioning for acting roles. 

🎭 Career Highlights

Drew Starkey's acting career began with supporting roles in films such as Love, Simon (2018) and The Hate U Give (2018). He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Rafe Cameron in the Netflix series Outer Banks, which premiered in 2020. Starkey's performance as the complex antagonist earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. He has since appeared in various television series, including Ozark, Scream: Resurrection, and The Terminal List. In 2024, Drew starred in Luca Guadagnino's romantic drama film Queer, playing the role of Eugene Allerton opposite Daniel Craig. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival and received positive reviews, further establishing Starkey as a rising star in Hollywood. 

💖 Personal Life

Drew Starkey is known for his private nature regarding personal relationships. He has been linked to actress Odessa A'zion, though neither has publicly confirmed the relationship. Starkey currently resides in Los Angeles, California, where he continues to pursue his acting career. In interviews, he has expressed a deep appreciation for the craft of acting and the opportunities it provides to explore diverse characters and stories. 

🌟 Legacy and Future Endeavors

Drew Starkey's journey from a small-town actor to a prominent figure in Hollywood is a testament to his talent and dedication. With a growing list of notable roles and critical acclaim, Starkey is poised to continue making significant contributions to the entertainment industry. His upcoming projects, including the Apple TV+ miniseries Lucky and the A24 film Onslaught, are highly anticipated by audiences and critics alike. As he continues to evolve as an actor, Drew Starkey remains a compelling figure to watch in the years to come.