Gaten Matarazzo, born Gaetano John Matarazzo III on September 8, 2002, in New London, Connecticut, was raised in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey . Even as a child, he showed remarkable dedication to performance—landing his first Broadway role in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at just eight or nine years old . Over the next few years, he appeared as a young Jesus in a youth production of Godspell and as Gavroche in the Les Misérables revival and its touring production .
His early theatrical experiences weren’t just about acting; they were a school for professionalism. He later reflected on those days with a grounded wisdom:
“When you’re nine years old, your job is to go wherever you’re told… There’s only so much you can control about a workplace… your job is to contribute as a team member.”
That quote captures how formative his stage roots were—instilling discipline, humility, and collaboration.
In 2015, Matarazzo made his television debut with a guest role on The Blacklist, but destiny awaited him in a small town in Hawkins . Auditioning initially for Mike Wheeler, he was cast as Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things—a role that quickly became iconic . The Duffer Brothers envisioned Dustin as the “heart” of the ensemble: witty, intelligent, and loyal—a refreshing twist on the 1980s nerd archetype . The show’s premiere in July 2016 launched Matarazzo into global recognition .
The role offered more than fame—it allowed representation. Matarazzo has cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), and the character’s condition was woven directly into the story, making it one of the first mainstream portrayals of CCD . Fans saw Dustin not defined by his physical differences, but celebrated for his humor and intellect—a shift in storytelling that resonated deeply.
Beyond his breakthrough, Matarazzo’s career diversified. He hosted and executive produced the Netflix hidden-camera series Prank Encounters from 2019 to 2021, showcasing his comedic timing and rapport with real people . Concurrently, he lent his voice to several animated projects, including The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019), My Father’s Dragon (2022), and the LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy series (2024–2025) .
He also returned—and stayed connected—to Broadway. In 2022, he appeared as Jared Kleinman in the final cast of Dear Evan Hansen, and later as Frankie Epps in Parade and Tobias Ragg in Sweeney Todd, performing alongside stars like Josh Groban . A comment from an interview underscores how stagecraft continues to shape him:
“That was a lifelong dream of mine… I knew that Alex Lacamoire… and I’d been working with him.”
Matarazzo also worked in film with the coming-of-age comedy Honor Society (2022) and voice roles in My Father’s Dragon—ventures that broadened his appeal beyond the Stranger Things fan base .
Gaten’s openness about growing up with CCD has been a defining aspect of his public image. He underwent multiple surgeries, including a notable four-hour procedure in 2020 to remove 14 extra teeth and expose adult ones . Instead of shying away from his condition, he used his platform to raise awareness and launched CCD Smiles—a nonprofit to help families cover dental surgeries for CCD .
For him, visibility matters:
“Most people who had it didn’t know anyone else with it… getting to educate people about it feels pretty cool.”
A grounded adulthood followed fame. An Esquire profile highlights how Matarazzo described his early struggles—living in an extended-stay hotel in 2015 while filming the first season—and how he’s now embracing a “second chapter” beyond Stranger Things . That sentiment speaks volumes: a young actor navigating global success while keeping himself intact.
The fifth and final season of Stranger Things debuted in late 2025, split into multiple volumes, with the finale airing December 31, 2025 across Netflix and in 350 theaters across North America . As the series closes, Matarazzo reflects, both in humor and sincerity, about key themes—loss, high-stakes drama, and emotional resonance for his characters .
On a lighter note, he once joked about wrapping the show quickly—even if it meant Dustin’s death—to add tension and help him move on to other dreams .
Financially, as of late 2025, his net worth is estimated at around $5 million, a result of his acting roles, Broadway performances, hosting gigs, and endorsements with brands like Verizon and Old Navy . While no one prizes net worth as the sole metric of success, it reflects the breadth of his engagements and impact.
Picture this: a young boy grappling with surgeries and school, stepping on Broadway’s Grand Stage at age eight, holding a torch for inclusion. Then, an unexpected script arrives—a sci-fi thriller set in Hawkins—and he becomes beloved worldwide. Along the way, he uses his visibility to advocate, to normalize differences, to bend stereotypes. Now, poised beyond the Upside Down, he’s charting a multifaceted career—your friend Dustin evolving into an artist with both grit and grace.
His unpredictability—jumping between horror television, hilarious pranks, animated fantasy, and musical drama—feels so human. You might think “actor from Stranger Things,” but there’s direction, balance, and self-awareness under that cap.
Gaten Matarazzo’s journey from Broadway prodigy to a globally recognized actor is a testament to his versatility, resilience, and intentionality. His early theater work laid a foundation of discipline, while Stranger Things elevated him into cultural relevance—one where representation, particularly through CCD, had real-world resonance. With diversified roles across screen, stage, animated worlds, and philanthropic efforts, he has crafted a multi-dimensional career that refuses to be boxed in. As he steps into post-Stranger Things territory, he continues to blend heart, humor, and advocacy—carving out a distinctive path grounded in authenticity.
He’s an American actor born in 2002, known for Broadway roles in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Les Misérables, before gaining fame as Dustin Henderson in Netflix’s Stranger Things.
CCD is a rare genetic condition affecting bone and dental development. Matarazzo openly shares his experiences, supporting the CCD Smiles nonprofit to help families cover specialized dental care.
He hosted Prank Encounters (2019–2021), voiced characters in The Angry Birds Movie 2, My Father’s Dragon, and LEGO Star Wars, and returned to Broadway in shows like Dear Evan Hansen, Parade, and Sweeney Todd.
The final season was released in late 2025 in multiple volumes, with the finale streaming December 31 and also screened in over 350 theaters across the U.S. and Canada.
As of late 2025, his estimated net worth is around $5 million, derived from acting, Broadway, hosting, and endorsement deals with brands like Verizon Fios and Old Navy.
He’s embracing a “second chapter,” pursuing new creative challenges across stage, screen, and voice work—all while staying grounded and leveraging his platform for advocacy and authenticity.
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