Gaten Matarazzo

Gaten Matarazzo is an American actor and stage performer. He is best known for his role as Dustin Henderson on the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, a performance that earned him widespread recognition. The series, which concluded in 2025, saw Matarazzo become a prominent figure among a new generation of actors. He is also known for hosting and executive producing the Netflix prank show Prank Encounters and has lent his voice to animated projects and appeared in films such as Honor Society. As of 2026, he is attached to star in and produce the upcoming comedy Pizza Movie.

Matarazzo is distinctive for his advocacy for individuals with cleidocranial dysplasia, a condition he openly shares his experiences with. He leverages his public platform to raise awareness and support for those affected by the disorder. Fans connect with his authentic demeanor and his candid approach to personal challenges, appreciating his down-to-earth personality.[edit]

Gaetano John Matarazzo III, known professionally as Gaten Matarazzo, was born on September 8, 2002, in New London, Connecticut. He grew up in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. From an early age, Matarazzo has lived with cleidocranial dysplasia, a rare genetic condition. His passion for performing ignited at the age of six when his parents took him to see a local production of Grease. This experience inspired him to dive into community theater, where he began performing in various shows across New Jersey.

His talent and dedication soon led to his first major professional opportunity on Broadway. At just nine years old, Matarazzo made his Broadway debut, playing the role of Benjamin in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, performing from 2011 to 2012. This experience on the professional stage was a significant step in his burgeoning career. A few years later, his stage presence continued to grow when he landed another significant role as Gavroche in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables, where he performed from 2014 to 2015. These formative years on the New York stage provided him with invaluable experience and honed his natural charisma, setting the foundation for his future endeavors.

The pivotal moment that would launch his career into global recognition arrived in 2015 when he auditioned for a new Netflix series. The casting directors for Stranger Things were immediately impressed by Matarazzo's extensive stage experience and innate charm, recognizing his unique ability to connect with an audience. This led to his casting as Dustin Henderson, a role that would prove to be life-changing and transform him into one of the most recognizable young actors of his generation. At the time of his casting, he was attending Pinelands Regional High School, but the increasing demands of filming soon led him to switch to homeschooling to accommodate his burgeoning acting career and the production schedule.[edit]

Stranger Things premiered in July 2016 and became a cultural phenomenon overnight. Matarazzo's Dustin Henderson, with his gap-toothed grin and quick wit, quickly became a fan favorite. The show earned a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2017. Matarazzo and his young co-stars grew up on screen, and their salaries jumped to an estimated $200,000 to $300,000 per episode for the later seasons.

In 2019, Matarazzo launched Prank Encounters on Netflix, a hidden-camera prank show he hosted and executive produced. It ran for two seasons. He took on film roles in 2022, co-starring in the coming-of-age comedy Honor Society and voicing Boris the Dragon in the animated My Father's Dragon. In 2025, he voiced Lucky in the animated Animal Farm. He is set to star in and executive produce Pizza Movie, a stoner comedy due in 2026.[edit]

Matarazzo is known for his curly hair, bright smile, and casual style, often wearing band T-shirts and denim jackets. He is consistently described as one of the most grounded young stars in Hollywood. Media coverage highlights his maturity and his advocacy for cleidocranial dysplasia. On social media, he comes across as friendly and humorous, frequently sharing behind-the-scenes content and interacting with fans. The Stranger Things fandom is passionate, and Matarazzo's character Dustin is consistently ranked among fan favorites.[edit]

Gaten Matarazzo's fanbase, while large and enthusiastic, has no formal name; his supporters are typically absorbed into the broader Stranger Things fandom, given that his breakout role as Dustin Henderson is the primary source of his fame. His individual fans sometimes call themselves Gatenators, but this is not a widely documented or official designation. The actor maintains a highly active social media presence, with approximately 19 million Instagram followers and 1.9 million TikTok followers, where he engages with fans through behind-the-scenes content and humorous posts. A notable inside joke is his Instagram bio, where he calls himself "the meatball," a playful self-reference that fans have adopted. He is known for his approachable, low-key public presence, often spotted at ordinary locations like an ice cream shop in Cream Ridge, New Jersey, in August 2026.

As of August 2026, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Gaten Matarazzo, but he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, including the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This means that while he is widely recognized internationally, he has not yet been ranked among the world's most famous individuals by iFANN's metrics.[edit]

Matarazzo's lisp on Stranger Things is real, caused by his cleidocranial dysplasia. He is a huge heavy metal fan, especially of Metallica. He performed a duet with Mika at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards. He has a pet dog named Dusty, after his Stranger Things character. He streams occasionally on Twitch and is an avid gamer. His individual fans sometimes call themselves Gatenators.

One of the most iconic moments of his career is the "NeverEnding Story" scene from Stranger Things Season 3, where his character Dustin and Suzie sing the theme song from the 1984 film. This scene became a viral phenomenon, generating countless memes and covers. Another defining aspect is his advocacy for cleidocranial dysplasia, a condition he was born with; he has spoken openly about it and worked with the CCD Smiles organization, making him a role model for many. His Broadway origins, with roles in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Les Misérables, are also a foundational part of his story. As of 2026, he is set to make his West End debut in a revival of Rent, a significant milestone in his career.[edit]

Matarazzo's parents are Gaetano Matarazzo Jr. and Heather Matarazzo. His father worked as a restaurant manager, and his mother was a school nurse. He has an older sister named Sabrina. The family lived in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. Matarazzo has not publicly shared details about his current household or pets beyond his dog Dusty.[edit]

Matarazzo has worked closely with the Stranger Things ensemble, including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, David Harbour, and Winona Ryder. He has also collaborated with the Duffer Brothers, the show's creators.[edit]

Matarazzo dated actress and model Lizzie Green from 2018 to 2019. The two were often seen at events together and on social media. The split was amicable. From 2020 to 2022, he was in a relationship with Radha Delamarter, a student at New York University. They frequently appeared on each other's social media accounts. As of 2026, Matarazzo is reported to be single, focusing on his career and advocacy work.[edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Gaten Matarazzo's net worth at $5 million. The bulk of his earnings come from his role as Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things. For the later seasons, he and his young co-stars negotiated a significant raise, reportedly earning $200,000 to $300,000 per episode. He also earned income as host and executive producer of Prank Encounters on Netflix. Beyond acting, Matarazzo has done brand partnerships with Nike, Coca-Cola, and Puma. In 2022, he purchased a home in Los Angeles valued at around $2 million. His net worth has grown steadily since Stranger Things became a hit, and his upcoming projects, including Pizza Movie, are expected to add to his wealth.[edit]

Matarazzo has won several awards as part of the Stranger Things ensemble. These include a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2017), an MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Team (2018), and People's Choice Awards for The Show of 2018 and The Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show of 2018.[edit]