Gaten Matarazzo – Complete Biography and Health Condition

Gaten Matarazzo rose to international fame as the clever and loyal Dustin Henderson in Netflix’s Stranger Things, but his story extends far beyond the fictional town of Hawkins. Born with a rare genetic condition, he has used his platform to educate millions and advocate for greater visibility. Now 23, the actor and singer has built a career that spans Broadway, streaming hits, and a massive social media presence, all while navigating the transition from child star to adult performer.

From his early days performing on New York stages to becoming one of the most recognizable faces of a generation-defining series, Matarazzo’s journey is marked by resilience and talent. His openness about his health, his Italian-American heritage, and his artistic versatility make him a compelling figure in contemporary entertainment. This article provides a fact-based overview of his life, career, and the condition that has shaped much of his public narrative.

What Disease Does Gaten Matarazzo Have?

Gaten Matarazzo was born with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), a genetic condition that primarily affects bone and tooth development. He has been open about his diagnosis since the early days of his career, even working with the writers of Stranger Things to incorporate the condition into his character, Dustin Henderson.

Gaten Matarazzo’s prominence as Dustin Henderson made him a household name, but his openness about CCD has also made him a visibility advocate for the condition. He has spoken candidly in interviews about the challenges of growing up with the disorder, including dental surgeries and delayed bone growth.

What is Cleidocranial Dysplasia (CCD)?

Cleidocranial dysplasia is a rare genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the RUNX2 gene. It affects the development of bones and teeth. Key characteristics include absent or underdeveloped collarbones, a delayed closure of the fontanelles (the soft spots on a baby’s skull), and dental abnormalities such as delayed eruption of permanent teeth and supernumerary teeth.

How Does CCD Affect Gaten Matarazzo’s Life and Career?

Matarazzo has described his experience with CCD as a part of his identity but not a limitation. He has undergone multiple dental procedures, including the removal of extra teeth, and has spoken about the importance of wearing a retainer. His condition was integrated into the script of Stranger Things, allowing him to play a character who shares his diagnosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CCD affects approximately 1 in 1 million people worldwide. More authoritative medical context is available on the Cleidocranial Dysplasia page from the CDC.

Does Gaten Matarazzo Have All His Teeth?

Like many people with CCD, Matarazzo did not develop a full set of adult teeth naturally. He has been very open about the dental challenges he faced, including the need for surgical intervention. In a 2017 interview on The Jonathan Ross Show, he stated that he was born with no adult teeth and had to have surgery to implant them. While he has not detailed his exact dental status in recent years, he has indicated ongoing dental care and maintenance.

How Old Is Gaten Matarazzo and What Is His Height?

Gaten Matarazzo was born on September 8, 2002, which makes him 23 years old as of 2026. His birthplace is New London, Connecticut, and he was raised in Little Egg Harbor Township and Tuckerton, New Jersey. His professional name, Gaten, is a childhood nickname that he adopted for his career.

When Is Gaten Matarazzo’s Birthday?

His birthday is September 8. He was born in 2002, placing him in the Generation Z cohort. His full birth name is Gaetano John Matarazzo III, according to his Wikipedia page and other biographical sources.

How Tall Is Gaten Matarazzo?

His height is commonly reported as 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 meters), though some sources list him at 5 foot 4 and a half inches (1.64 meters). The exact figure varies slightly across databases. IMDB lists his height at 5′ 4½″ (1.64 m), which is a commonly cited measurement for his stature.

What Movies and TV Shows Has Gaten Matarazzo Been In?

Despite his young age, Matarazzo has a robust filmography spanning Broadway, Netflix, and guest roles on major network television. Despite his young age (22 in 2025), Matarazzo has a robust filmography spanning Broadway, Netflix’s Stranger Things, and guest roles on shows like The Blacklist.

What Is Gaten Matarazzo’s Role in Stranger Things?

His most famous role is Dustin Henderson in the Netflix science fiction horror series Stranger Things. He played the character from the show’s premiere in 2016 through its final season in 2025. Dustin is known for his intelligence, loyalty, and his signature lisp, which was inspired by Matarazzo’s own speech patterns related to CCD.

Is Gaten Matarazzo on The Blacklist?

Yes, Gaten Matarazzo appeared on the NBC crime thriller The Blacklist. He played a role in a Season 4 episode, as confirmed by his credits on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB. This guest role was a notable step in his transition from stage to screen.

Did Gaten Matarazzo Start His Career on Broadway?

Yes, his career began on Broadway before he became widely known on television. Early stage credits include playing Benji in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Gavroche in Les Misérables. Later he appeared in productions such as Into the Woods, Dear Evan Hansen, Sweeney Todd, and Parade. He also hosted the Netflix prank show Prank Encounters and voiced characters in animated films including My Father’s Dragon and Animal Farm.

What Is Gaten Matarazzo’s Ethnicity and Family Background?

Matarazzo is Italian-American. His family is of Italian descent, specifically from the region of Avellino. He was born to Heather and Gaetano John Matarazzo Jr.

What Is Gaten Matarazzo’s Real Name?

His full legal name is Gaetano John Matarazzo III. “Gaten” is a childhood nickname that stuck and became his stage name. This information is consistently reported across IMDB and Wikipedia (the same biographical source cited for his height).

Who Are Gaten Matarazzo’s Parents?

His parents are Heather and Gaetano John Matarazzo Jr. He also has a sister named Sabrina and a brother named Carmen. His father is an actor and cameo performer, while his mother has largely stayed out of the public eye.

Timeline of Key Career Milestones

1. 2002: Born on September 8 in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.
2. 2012: Cast as Young Jean Valjean in the Broadway production of Les Misérables.
3. 2015: Appeared in the Broadway musical The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
4. 2016: Cast as Dustin Henderson in Netflix’s Stranger Things; the series premieres in July.
5. 2017: Stranger Things Season 2 releases; Matarazzo becomes widely recognized. Guest role on The Blacklist.
6. 2022: Stranger Things Season 4 released, with massive global viewership; his character arc was highly praised.
7. 2025: Final season of Stranger Things expected to air. Age 22; continued acting projects and social media presence.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear

Context: Representation and the Transition to Adult Stardom

Matarazzo’s openness about CCD has raised awareness about the rare genetic condition. He has participated in charity events and spoken positively about embracing visible differences, influencing how young fans perceive medical anomalies. His willingness to work the condition into his Stranger Things character was a deliberate act of representation.

Aging with the Stranger Things cast from 2016 to 2025, Matarazzo has navigated growing up on screen. Post-show, his career trajectory will be closely watched for diversification into other genres, whether in film, music, or production. He has been described as a singer and has been connected to the band Work in Progress as a lead vocalist.

Sources and Key Quotes

The following sources provided the foundation for this article. They include biographical databases, official filmography pages, and authoritative medical resources.

“Gaten Matarazzo is an American actor and singer best known for playing Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things.”

— Wikipedia (same source cited for his birthday and full name)

“His Stranger Things role earned major recognition and ensemble awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award mention.”

— All American Speakers Bureau

“Early stage credits include Benji in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Gavroche in Les Misérables.”

— Broadway.com

Summary: A Complete Overview of Gaten Matarazzo

Gaten Matarazzo is a 23-year-old American actor and singer of Italian-American descent, best known for portraying Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things. He was born with cleidocranial dysplasia, a condition he has publicly discussed to raise awareness. His career began on Broadway before transitioning to television and film. He has a strong social media presence with over 19 million Instagram followers and nearly 2 million on TikTok. While his net worth remains unconfirmed by official sources, his professional trajectory is one of consistent growth and advocacy. For more biographical insights, you can read about Antony Starr and Zac Efron.

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