Huff begin his career as a model after signing with Ford Models in New York and Nina Blanchard in Los Angeles. Huff has appeared in dozens of magazines, including GQ, Vogue and Glamour, and worked with top fashion designers Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani and Calvin Klein. During his days as a model Huff was based in Milan, Italy as well as New York. While modeling, he won the role of Willard, the rugged leading man opposite Tawny Kitaen in the French cult classic, The Perils of Gwendoline (1983).

Huff appeared frequently in films directed by Bruno Mattei (such as Strike Commando 2 (1988), where he played a tough war veteran Michael Ransom) and Director Worth Keeter in Hijack (1999) and Scorpio One (1998). He made several television guest appearances on shows including Mad Men, The West Wing, Cold Case, Diagnosis Murder, and JAG, among others. Huff had a recurring role where he played "Psycho" in the series Pensacola: Wings of Gold.

Huff is married to Actress Shawn Huff (1989–present) Brent and Shawn's daughter is actress/model Bailey Huff.

Huff's other works as an actor include Falling from Grace (1992) playing John Mellencamp's troubled brother. Mellencamp also directed the film. Huff also won acclaim for his role in Girl's Night (1998) with Kris Kristofferson, Brenda Blethyn and Julie Walters. Other films include Beautiful (2000) directed by Sally Field, I Spy Returns, (1994) Hot Boyz (1999) Hitman's Run (1998), and most recently made cameo appearances in Sci Fi Pictures original films, Dead and Deader (2006) and the action film Kill Speed (2010).

Huff has also worked behind the camera, directing his first independent feature, We the People (1994; alternatively titled Final Justice) with his friend James Brolin. Huff directed the hilarious dark comedy 100 Mile Rule (2002) with Jake Weber, Maria Bello, David Thornton, and Michael McKean, The Bad Pack (1997), starring Robert Davi and Roddy Piper, and most recently the inspirational family drama entitled Welcome to Paradise (2007), starring Crystal Bernard and Brian Dennehy.

Huff played Director Lawrence Brent in the television pilot Hollywood Confidential (1997) with Charlize Theron and Thomas Jane.

In 2007, Huff directed the action film, Treasure Raiders in Moscow, Russia. Treasure Raiders is one of the most expensive films ever made in Russia and features Russian star Alexander Nevsky as well as David Carradine, Steven Brand and Sherilyn Fenn.

Huff wrote and directed the film-noir thriller Cat City in 2008. The film was selected to numerous film festivals and stars Rebecca Pidgeon, Julian Sands, and Brian Dennehy.

In 2010, Huff directed the legal thriller, Last Will starring Tatum O'Neal, Tom Berenger, Peter Coyote and James Brolin.

In 2012, Huff directed two award-winning short films Helpless and Hero. Helpless won best short film at the San Diego "Indie-Fest" and Riverside International Film Festival. Hero won best short at the Pan Pacific Film Festival, Brooklyn Film Festival and Family Film Festival.

In 2013, Huff's documentary Chasing Beauty was picked up for distribution by the LOGO Channel. Chasing Beauty is an inside look at the intriguing, complex, sometimes petty and often heartbreaking world of fashion Models. Huff secured access to the top Models, agencies, make-up Artist, designers, advertising executives and magazine editors in the world.