Gaten Matarazzo is an American actor best known for his breakout role as Dustin Henderson in the Netflix science-fiction drama series Stranger Things.
Gaten John Matarazzo III was born on September 8, 2002, in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, to Gaten Matarazzo Sr. and Heather Matarazzo. He has two siblings, Sabrina and Carmen Matarazzo, both of whom have appeared in TV commercials.
Matarazzo was born with cleidocranial dysplasia, a rare genetic disorder that affects the development of bones and teeth. Though the condition can vary in severity, his form has been described as non-hereditary and relatively mild. He was born without collarbones and still has baby teeth, requiring the use of dentures. Rather than shy away from public attention, Matarazzo uses his platform to advocate for awareness and understanding of the disorder, often speaking publicly and raising funds for related causes.
Gaten Matarazzo launched his acting career on stage, notably appearing as Benjamin in the Broadway musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. He later went on to play Gavroche in the 2014 Broadway revival of Les Misérables.
His major breakthrough came with his portrayal of Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things, which premiered on Netflix in 2016. The show's success catapulted Matarazzo and his co-stars to global fame. Known for his comedic timing and unique charisma, Matarazzo quickly became a fan favorite.
By the time season three was released in July 2019, the show had developed a massive following around the world. As the young cast has matured on screen, fans have remained invested in their characters and real-life journeys. In addition to his work on Stranger Things, Matarazzo also hosted the Netflix prank show Prank Encounters, which debuted in 2019.
As of recent estimates, Gaten Matarazzo’s net worth is reported to be around $5 million, largely attributed to his television success and Broadway roots.
Gaten Matarazzo has been in a relationship with actress and theater performer Lizzy Yu since 2018. The couple garnered public attention when Gaten posted photos from their school’s semi-formal dance in mid-2018. Their relationship became official on social media in early 2019, with posts commemorating their first anniversary.
Though initially private about their romance, the couple has gradually shared glimpses of their bond with fans. In a notable Instagram story, Matarazzo’s Stranger Things co-star Millie Bobby Brown welcomed Lizzy “to the family,” further confirming the close connection between the pair. Fans continue to support their relationship, which remains strong as both pursue careers in acting and theater.
| Birth Date: | 8 Sep, 2002 |
| Age: | 18 yrs |
| Occupations: | Actor Stage actor Film actor Television actor |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | New London |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor and singer |
| Net Worth 2021: | 4 million |
