Drew Starkey Biography | Net Worth, Rafe in Outer Banks, 'Queer' Movie, Partner & Age

Drew Starkey first gained widespread recognition as the volatile Rafe Cameron in Netflix’s Outer Banks, but his career has quickly expanded beyond the hit series. His performance opposite Daniel Craig in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer introduced him to a broader film audience, while projects including Apple TV’s Lucky, A24’s Onslaught, Deep Cuts, and King Snake have strengthened his position as one of Hollywood’s most closely watched rising actors.

With Outer Banks concluding its fifth and final season in August 2026, Starkey is entering a new phase of his career, one increasingly defined by major film roles, prestige collaborations, and characters far removed from Rafe Cameron.

Drew Starkey Age And Education

Joseph Andrew Starkey was born on November 4, 1993, in Asheville, North Carolina. He is 32 years old as of August 2026 and will turn 33 in November. The eldest of four children, he grew up mainly in Hickory and other parts of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains region. His father, Todd Starkey, is a college women’s basketball coach, while his mother, Jodi Ballard Hutto, works as a school counselor. His parents divorced when he was young, and his mother later remarried.

Starkey attended St. Stephens High School in Hickory, where he initially focused on sports including baseball and basketball before discovering a passion for acting through a freshman-year drama class. He later attended Western Carolina University, where he double-majored in English and theater performance. Starkey graduated magna cum laude in 2016 before moving to Atlanta to pursue acting professionally.

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During his time at WCU, he became the first recipient of the Charles Stancil Stephens-Kudzu Players Scholarship, recognizing his talent within the university’s School of Stage and Screen. 

Drew Starkey Career

Before becoming a familiar face on screen, Drew Starkey built his acting foundation through theater and student productions. During his time at Western Carolina University, he appeared in stage productions including The Radical Notion of Gene Mutation, A Doll's House, and Peter Pan, gaining valuable experience that helped shape his approach to acting. He later returned to the stage as Demetrius in a digital production of A Midsummer Night's Dream for the charity series Acting for a Cause in 2020. These early performances gave Starkey a strong theatrical foundation before he transitioned into film and television.

Starkey began his screen career through short films and independent productions before securing small television roles in series including Mercy Street, Ozark, Good Behavior, The Resident, Doom Patrol, and Scream: Resurrection. His profile grew in 2018 through supporting appearances in American Animals, Love, Simon, and The Hate U Give, followed by roles in Mine 9, Just Mercy, and The Devil All the Time.

The role that changed Starkey’s career was Rafe Cameron in Netflix’s Outer Banks. His portrayal of the volatile, emotionally troubled character made him one of the show’s breakout performers. Starkey remained part of the series through its fifth and final season, which premiered on August 20, 2026.

He expanded his résumé with The Terminal List and films including Hellraiser and The Other Zoey before starring as Eugene Allerton opposite Daniel Craig in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer. In 2026, he also played Cary, the husband of Anya Taylor-Joy’s title character, in Apple TV’s seven-episode crime thriller Lucky. The complete limited series is now streaming following its August 19 finale.

Alongside his growing filmography, Starkey has received recognition for his performances. He was part of the ensemble that won Best Ensemble Cast in 2020 for Limbo. His performance in Queer also earned him nominations for Rising Star of the Year at the 2025 Dorian Film Awards and the Tar Heel Award from the North Carolina Film Critics Association. These honors have further highlighted his transition from a promising young actor into a more established film and television performer.

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Queer represented an important turning point in Starkey’s career. Rather than playing another volatile antagonist, he portrayed the restrained, elusive Eugene Allerton, showing a quieter side of his acting opposite Daniel Craig.

Starkey’s next theatrical release is A24’s Onslaught, an action thriller from Adam Wingard starring Adria Arjona, Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall, and Drew Starkey. The film is scheduled to open on September 4, 2026.

He is also starring as Joe Morrow opposite Cailee Spaeny in A24’s adaptation of Holly Brickley’s Deep Cuts, directed by Sean Durkin. Filming took place in 2026, but no release date has been announced. Starkey has also completed work on Jeff Nichols’ Southern Gothic supernatural horror film King Snake alongside Margaret Qualley and Michael Shannon.

Drew Starkey Girlfriend

Drew Starkey keeps his romantic life private and has not publicly confirmed a current girlfriend. He has long been linked to actress Odessa A’zion, whom he met while filming Hellraiser, and the pair have continued appearing together at parties and industry events. However, neither Starkey nor A’zion has officially defined their relationship, so reports describing them as a confirmed couple remain speculative.

Starkey has also been connected to other co-stars through online rumors, but no additional relationship has been substantiated. Unless he addresses his personal life publicly, his current relationship status remains unconfirmed.

Drew Starkey Net Worth

Drew Starkey’s net worth is between $750,000 and $1 million, though his exact financial records are private and not publicly confirmed. Starkey is income comes from his successful acting career, particularly his role as Rafe Cameron in Outer Banks, which helped turn him into a widely recognized name. His work in films such as The Other Zoey and Queer has further expanded his career and earning potential.

Beyond acting, Starkey has developed a growing presence in fashion. He appeared in Loewe’s Spring/Summer 2025 campaign alongside Taylor Russell and Wang Yibo and has attended events for several major luxury brands.

As his profile grows through high-profile film and television projects, his opportunities for higher salaries and commercial partnerships are also expected to increase. With several upcoming projects in development, Starkey's net worth could rise further as his Hollywood career gains momentum.

Drew Starkey Height And Appearance

Drew Starkey is commonly listed as approximately 6 feet 2 inches, or 1.88 meters, tall. He has blue eyes, dark brown hair, and an athletic build influenced by his longtime interest in sports, particularly basketball and baseball.

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His appearance and growing connection to luxury fashion have also made him a regular presence at premieres, fashion shows, and major industry events.

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