Gaten Matarazzo Bio
Gaetano John “Gaten” Matarazzo III (born September 8, 2002) is an American actor best known for his role as Dustin Henderson on the Netflix science-fiction horror drama Stranger Things. Beginning his career as a child performer on the Broadway stage, he transitioned into film and television and became one of the most recognizable young actors of his generation. In addition to acting, he has hosted the Netflix hidden-camera series Prank Encounters and lent his voice to several animated projects. He continues to balance work in theater, film, and television while using his public profile to raise awareness of cleidocranial dysplasia.
Early Life and Background
Gaetano John Matarazzo III was born on September 8, 2002, in New London, Connecticut, to Heather and Gaetano John Matarazzo Jr. He was raised in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, alongside an older sister, Sabrina, and a younger brother, Carmen. His paternal grandfather is of Italian descent and traces his family roots to Avellino. From an early age, Matarazzo showed an interest in performance, pursuing vocal training at the Starlight Performing Arts Center in New Jersey.
In 2011, Matarazzo competed at the Starpower Talent Competition Nationals in Uncasville, Connecticut, where he won third place with a vocal solo titled “Ben.” The same year, he received his first professional theatrical opportunity, signaling the start of a steady path toward a stage career. He was born with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), a genetic condition that affects the development of bones and teeth, and has since spoken openly about the importance of raising awareness of the disorder.
Path to Acting
Matarazzo’s first professional credit came in 2011 when he joined the Broadway musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert as a replacement cast member playing Benjamin. The following year, he participated in a “Cast of 2032” youth performance of Godspell at the Circle in the Square Theatre, gaining further exposure to professional stagecraft. These early experiences gave him a foundation in musical theater and prepared him for larger roles in major productions.
In 2013, he joined the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Tour across the United States in the role of Gavroche, and in 2014 he reprised the role in the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of the same musical. The rigorous touring and Broadway schedule established his reputation as a committed young stage performer and set the stage for his move into on-screen acting.
Gaten Matarazzo Career
Early Career (2011–2015)
Between 2011 and 2015, Matarazzo built his résumé primarily on Broadway and on tour. His early stage work in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Les Misérables gave him visibility among casting directors and theater audiences. These formative years allowed him to develop the vocal and acting skills that would later translate to screen performances.
In 2015, he made his screen acting debut with an episode of the NBC crime drama The Blacklist. The small role opened the door to television auditions and helped him transition from stage to camera work at a time when major casting opportunities were beginning to emerge.
Breakthrough (2016–2022)
Matarazzo auditioned for the role of Mike Wheeler in Stranger Things but was ultimately cast as Dustin Henderson. The character’s backstory was modified to include cleidocranial dysplasia, mirroring Matarazzo’s own condition. The first season of Stranger Things premiered in July 2016 to critical acclaim, and his performance quickly earned him international recognition. The role would define his career and continue across multiple seasons through 2025.
In 2019, he became the host and an executive producer of the Netflix hidden-camera series Prank Encounters, a project he continued to lead through 2021. He voiced Bubba in The Angry Birds Movie 2 and appeared in the Hollywood Bowl production of Into the Woods the same year. In 2022, he returned to Broadway as Jared Kleinman in the final cast of Dear Evan Hansen and later starred in Paramount+’s coming-of-age comedy Honor Society alongside Angourie Rice. That year, he also voiced Boris the Dragon in the animated film My Father’s Dragon.
At the end of 2022, it was announced that Matarazzo would return to Broadway as Toby Ragg in Thomas Kail’s revival of the musical Sweeney Todd, sharing the stage with Josh Groban, Annaleigh Ashford, and Jordan Fisher. He also joined the cast of the animated film Hump, which was announced in May 2018 and continued through development.
Notable Works and Milestones
Across his career, Matarazzo’s signature role has been Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things, a performance that turned him into a household name. He expanded his reach with hosting duties on Prank Encounters, animated voice work in My Father’s Dragon and The Angry Birds Movie 2, and a starring turn in Honor Society. His recurring return to Broadway, including roles in Dear Evan Hansen and the Sweeney Todd revival, underscores his ongoing commitment to musical theater alongside his screen career.
Gaten Matarazzo Award Nominations
Verified award nominations for Gaten Matarazzo are not available in the supplied sources, so no nominations are listed here. As a cast member of Stranger Things, he has been part of ensemble recognition for the series through industry coverage, but specific individual nominations cannot be confirmed from the provided data.
Gaten Matarazzo Awards Won
Verified individual awards won by Gaten Matarazzo are not documented in the supplied sources, and no summary table of wins is included. His long-running work on Stranger Things and his Broadway appearances have been well received, but confirmed award totals have not been provided.
Gaten Matarazzo Family
Gaten Matarazzo is the son of Heather and Gaetano John Matarazzo Jr., and he shares a close bond with his older sister, Sabrina, and his younger brother, Carmen. His paternal grandfather is of Italian descent, with family roots in Avellino, which contributes to the family’s Italian heritage. Matarazzo has been open about growing up with cleidocranial dysplasia, a condition that also shapes his family’s involvement with related advocacy work.
Personal Life
Since 2018, Matarazzo has been in a relationship with actress Elizabeth Yu. Beyond his acting work, he has spoken publicly about living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He is also an advocate for people with cleidocranial dysplasia, supporting the organization CCD Smiles, which helps cover the costs of oral surgeries for individuals with the condition. His charitable efforts have included fundraising events for NEXT for AUTISM, Feeding America, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and political causes such as the 2021 Georgia runoff elections.