Holbrook was discovered while working part-time as a
carpenter for Jenny Wiley Theatre in Kentucky. He signed with
Elite Models in 2001. He has worked for other agencies such as
Wilhelmina Models. Holbrook has been a model for such designers and labels as
Dior,
Gucci,
Jean Paul Gaultier,
Versace,
Hugo Boss,
Bill Blass,
Calvin Klein,
Moschino,
Marc Jacobs and
DSquared². Holbrook and model Omahyra Mota were the subjects of photographer
Ellen Von Unwerth Paris gallery exhibition "Omahyra & Boyd" and the 2005 book of that title from Exhibitions International (). He released a short series of poems through the website Model-Max.com, accompanied by illustrations by Jamie Strachan. Holbrook studied acting with the
William Esper Studio's two-year Meisner Acting Program and with Shane Ann Younts' two-year voice and speech program, and he received an SCPS Certificate in
16mm film from New York University. He also has worked with acting coach Terry Knickerbocker. His prior acting work includes a role in the "Allison" music video for
Permanent Me alongside model
Tiah Eckhardt. Holbrook is a photographer who has done work for
David Armstrong. He is also a sculptor and exhibited his work in his first art show, "Iscariot", at the Rare gallery in
Chelsea, New York from April 19 to May 17, 2008. In 2014, Holbrook appeared as Jeff in
David Fincher's psychological thriller
Gone Girl. Holbrook portrayed DEA agent Steve Murphy in the
Netflix series
Narcos. In 2017, Holbrook played
Donald Pierce, the antagonist in
Logan, the third solo Wolverine film. In 2019, Holbrook starred as Thomas Lockhart in the Netflix thriller film,
In the Shadow of the Moon. In January 2021, Holbrook was cast as
The Corinthian in the Netflix adaptation of
The Sandman. In May 2021, Holbrook was cast in
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. He played Klaber, a Nazi operative and right-hand man to
Mads Mikkelsen's Dr. Jürgen Voller. Holbrook stated that he learned several acting lessons from
Harrison Ford while filming
Dial of Destiny, including how "[he] definitely taught me that you do not walk away unless you know in your gut that you got it and there's not a false note."
Dial of Destiny was also Holbrook's second collaboration with
Logan director
James Mangold; Holbrook defended the movie's conclusion, stating that "when I saw [the finale], I was surprised that it grabbed me by the throat. I was a little emotional, even though I'm so close to it." ==Personal life==