He began his career with supporting roles in the teen drama films Love, Simon and The Hate U Give (both 2018).

He gained recognition for his portrayal of troubled teenager Rafe Cameron in the Netflix adventure series Outer Banks (2020−present),[1] and has since starred in Luca Guadagnino's romantic drama film Queer (2024).

[2] His family moved around the Blue Ridge Mountains area, but he mostly grew up in Hickory, North Carolina.

"[3] Starkey graduated from Western Carolina University in 2016, where he double majored in English and theater performance.

[6] After college, he moved to Atlanta to join two friends who were forming a production company, and started to audition for roles.