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Gaten Matarazzo has opened up about growing up in the spotlight, the pressures of Stranger Things fame and the unusual responsibility of becoming a breadwinner for his family at just 13.
The 24-year-old actor is now preparing to appear as Mark in a new London production of the musical Rent.
Matarazzo became internationally famous after playing Dustin Henderson in Netflix’s hugely successful science-fiction series Stranger Things. But as the show comes to an end, he is now focused on establishing himself beyond the character that made him famous.
For Matarazzo, moving forward does not mean rejecting Dustin. Instead, it means proving that his career can extend beyond one of television’s most recognisable young characters.
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Gaten Matarazzo and the Challenge of Moving Beyond Dustin
Stranger Things changed his life at a young age
Matarazzo was only 13 when Stranger Things transformed his career.
The show’s success brought enormous attention to its young cast. Matarazzo quickly became known around the world as Dustin, the enthusiastic and lovable character who helped his friends face supernatural threats.
Years later, that association remains powerful.
Matarazzo acknowledged that some fans still find it difficult to see him as anyone other than Dustin.
He said this reaction initially affected him emotionally, particularly when audiences responded to his other projects by comparing them with Stranger Things.
However, he now appears more determined to make career choices based on his own interests rather than expectations from fans.
Matarazzo Talks About Intense Stranger Things Fandom
Fame can make ordinary activities complicated
Matarazzo explained that his fame can sometimes make simple activities, such as walking around a city, difficult.
He described situations where fans have quickly gathered after news spread that he was nearby.
Although he admitted that the attention can sometimes feel stressful, he also emphasised that fans generally approach him from a place of admiration.
His experience highlights the unusual reality of growing up as one of the most recognisable young actors in modern television.
Examples include:
- Fans recognising him while he is travelling.
- Crowds gathering after news of his location spreads.
- People approaching him because they strongly associate him with Dustin.
- Audiences expecting him to remain connected to Stranger Things.
Gaten Matarazzo Heads to the London Stage in Rent
Actor returns to musical theatre
Matarazzo is currently preparing to play Mark in a London revival of Rent.
The rock musical, originally released in the 1990s, follows a group of young artists living in New York while confronting poverty, relationships, identity and the HIV/AIDS crisis.
The production gives Matarazzo an opportunity to demonstrate his musical-theatre experience away from television.
His theatre background began before Stranger Things made him famous.
At just 11, he appeared as Gavroche in Les Misérables on Broadway.
That experience means musical theatre is not a new direction for him. It is a part of his career that existed long before his television fame.
Why Rent Has Personal Meaning for Matarazzo
His family helped him understand the musical
Matarazzo first encountered Rent as a child.
He explained that conversations about the HIV/AIDS crisis were present in the musical-theatre environment in which he was growing up.
When he was around 11, he asked his mother about the subject because he did not fully understand it.
She used Rent as one way of helping him understand the crisis and its wider social context.
Matarazzo has also spoken with his uncle, who was a closeted gay man in New York during the 1980s.
Those conversations gave him an opportunity to learn more about the experiences of gay people during a period marked by fear surrounding HIV and AIDS.
Gaten Matarazzo Says He Is a Seasoned Theatre Performer
Fame is only one part of his casting
Matarazzo acknowledged that his Stranger Things fame can influence casting decisions.
He rejected the idea that pretending otherwise would be realistic.
At the same time, his theatre background predates his television success.
His experience includes:
- Performing on Broadway as a child.
- Appearing in Les Misérables before Stranger Things.
- Developing experience in musical theatre.
- Returning to the stage through Rent.
- Taking on a role separate from his Dustin character.
Matarazzo also hopes audiences will give the entire Rent cast their attention rather than treating the production as simply another opportunity to see Dustin.
He Wants Fans to Respect the Entire Rent Cast
Matarazzo has a message for Stranger Things fans
The actor said he would not object to fans attending Rent because they know him from Stranger Things.
However, he expressed concern about how intense fandom might affect his fellow performers.
He specifically asked fans not to attend the production in Stranger Things costumes.
His reasoning is simple: there are many performers on stage, and the production should be appreciated as a complete theatrical experience.
He also made a distinction between admiration and love when discussing intense fan attachment to the series.
Matarazzo Reflects on Social Media and Privacy
Growing up online came with unexpected pressure
Matarazzo’s relationship with social media has changed significantly since his teenage years.
When Stranger Things first became popular, he regularly shared personal details about his life online.
He said he was encouraged to present himself publicly and allow fans to know more about him.
Looking back, he questions whether that level of personal exposure was appropriate for someone who was only 13.
He compared the experience with advice normally given to children about internet safety, including not sharing private information with strangers.
Today, Matarazzo has taken a much more private approach.
His social media accounts remain active, but he said he does not personally manage them in the same way.
Why Gaten Matarazzo Stepped Back From Personal Social Media
Privacy has become more important to the actor
Matarazzo said his early experiences online contributed to anxiety around social media.
He no longer feels the need to constantly share details about his personal life with millions of followers.
One example came when he did not publicly mark his eighth anniversary with his girlfriend Elizabeth.
Some fans immediately speculated that the couple had separated.
Matarazzo later made clear that they were still together and happy.
The incident illustrates how quickly private decisions can become public speculation when someone has millions of followers.
Gaten Matarazzo Says He Was Not Exploited as a Child Actor
He credits the people around him
Despite discussing the pressures of child fame, Matarazzo does not describe his own experience as exploitative.
He said he was surrounded by people he trusted and contrasted his experience with stories he has heard about other young performers.
He also defended Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer over the decision to incorporate aspects of his medical condition into Dustin’s character.
Matarazzo has cleidocranial dysplasia, a rare condition affecting bone development.
He had previously been open about the condition, including discussing some of its physical effects.
According to Matarazzo, the show’s creators approached the subject after learning about his experiences and discussing how it could inform the character.
Matarazzo’s Cleidocranial Dysplasia Became Part of Dustin’s Story
The actor helped bring personal experience to the character
Matarazzo has spoken openly about living with cleidocranial dysplasia, often shortened to CCD.
The condition affects bone and tooth development.
Some of the physical characteristics associated with Dustin were connected to Matarazzo’s real-life condition.
He has also used his platform to increase awareness of CCD and connect with other people living with the condition.
He said that the community has helped people compare symptoms and understand the condition more clearly.
Becoming a Breadwinner at 13
Matarazzo describes an uncomfortable family dynamic
One of the most revealing parts of Matarazzo’s discussion was his description of becoming a breadwinner at a very young age.
He said child actors can sometimes become the main source of income for their families when their parents have to step away from their own careers to support them.
For Matarazzo, this happened when he was around 13.
He described the situation as complicated and acknowledged that it was likely uncomfortable for his parents as well.
However, he does not describe the arrangement entirely negatively.
He viewed it as part of the sacrifice involved in being able to continue doing something he loved.
Gaten Matarazzo on the Future of Child Stardom
He believes the industry still has work to do
Matarazzo believes greater protections are needed for young performers.
He questioned whether the entertainment industry is always the right environment for children and pointed to the responsibilities placed on parents and young actors.
His experience has made him particularly aware of the difference between professional opportunity and the personal cost of growing up in public.
For him, the discussion is not simply about fame.
It is also about privacy, financial responsibility, social media exposure and the ability of children to make informed decisions about their public lives.
Key Facts About Gaten Matarazzo
What to know about the Stranger Things star
- Gaten Matarazzo is 24 years old.
- He became internationally famous as Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things.
- He began working in musical theatre before his television breakthrough.
- He performed as Gavroche in Les Misérables on Broadway at age 11.
- He is playing Mark in a London production of Rent.
- He has cleidocranial dysplasia, a rare condition affecting bone development.
- He has reduced his personal involvement with social media.
- He lives in New York with his long-term girlfriend Elizabeth and their two cats.
- He has spoken openly about becoming a family breadwinner at 13.
When and Where Is Gaten Matarazzo’s Rent Playing?
London production begins its run
The new production of Rent opens at the Tom Stoppard Theatre in London and is scheduled to run until March 27.
The production marks another important stage in Matarazzo’s effort to build a career that extends beyond Stranger Things.
Read: Jessi Draper Apology to Miranda Hope After Chase McWhorter Kiss Scandal Shocks Fans
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Gaten Matarazzo play in Rent?
Gaten Matarazzo plays Mark in the London production of Rent. Mark is an observer and filmmaker who documents the lives of his friends.
How old was Gaten Matarazzo when Stranger Things made him famous?
Matarazzo was 13 when Stranger Things became a major international success and changed his career.
Was Gaten Matarazzo a Broadway actor before Stranger Things?
Yes. Matarazzo had already worked in musical theatre before Stranger Things. At age 11, he played Gavroche in Les Misérables on Broadway.
What medical condition does Gaten Matarazzo have?
Matarazzo has cleidocranial dysplasia, also known as CCD. It is a rare condition that affects bone and tooth development.
What did Gaten Matarazzo say about becoming a breadwinner?
Matarazzo said that he became a breadwinner for his family at around 13. He described the situation as complicated because his parents had to adjust their working lives to support his career.
