Anyone who’s watched Stranger Things recognizes Dustin Henderson’s gap-toothed grin and quick wit. The actor behind the character, Gaten Matarazzo, brings something more than talent to the screen — he brings his own experience with a rare genetic condition that affects fewer than one in a million people.
Born: September 8, 2002 · Known for: Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things · Diagnosis: Cleidocranial dysostosis (CCD) · Relationship length: 8 years with Elizabeth Yu (as of 2024) · Net worth (estimated): $3 million
Quick snapshot
- Exact net worth not officially disclosed
- Future marriage plans not publicly known
- Specific medical details about his current treatment are private
- Born September 8, 2002 (IMDb)
- Broadway debut in Les Misérables in 2011 (IMDb)
- Stranger Things premieres in 2016, relationship with Yu begins same year (IMDb)
- Stranger Things final season in production
- Continuing advocacy work around CCD awareness
- Potential new film and stage projects
Eight key facts about Gaten Matarazzo, from his full name to his estimated net worth — one pattern: every detail connects back to a career built on openness about his health.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | John “Gaten” Matarazzo III |
| Date of birth | September 8, 2002 |
| Place of birth | Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) |
| Known for | Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things |
| Diagnosis | Cleidocranial dysostosis |
| Relationship status | In a relationship with Elizabeth Yu |
| Net worth | $3 million (estimated) |
What is Gaten Matarazzo diagnosed with?
What is cleidocranial dysostosis?
- A rare genetic condition affecting bone and tooth development (NDTV)
- Caused by a mutation in the RUNX2 gene
- Can involve absent or underdeveloped collarbones
Cleidocranial dysostosis, also called cleidocranial dysplasia, is a condition that primarily affects skeletal and dental development. People with CCD often have delayed tooth eruption, extra teeth, and may be born without collarbones — which allows them to bring their shoulders together in front of their body in a way most people cannot. The condition is caused by a mutation in the RUNX2 gene and is estimated to occur in about one per million births.
Matarazzo calls his case “very mild” and says most roles he’s booked came because of the condition, not despite it — turning a potential disadvantage into a career catalyst.
How does CCD affect Gaten Matarazzo?
- He has spoken about having 14 supernumerary (extra) teeth removed in surgery (Health Insight)
- He uses dentures as a result of his condition
- He was born without collarbones
Matarazzo has described his experience with CCD as “pretty good” and has said he was never really bullied for it. In interviews, he has noted that his condition helped start his acting career — his distinctive look and the story behind it made him memorable to casting directors. The condition was written into his Stranger Things character Dustin Henderson after he was cast, with the pilot episode including a scene where Dustin explains his condition to a bully.
The implication: Matarazzo’s openness about CCD has normalized a rare condition for millions of viewers, turning a medical detail into a teachable moment embedded in one of Netflix’s most-watched series.
Is Gaten Matarazzo in a relationship?
Who is Gaten Matarazzo dating?
- He has been in a relationship with Elizabeth Yu since 2016 (IMDb)
- They are not married as of 2024
- They do not have children
Gaten Matarazzo has been dating Elizabeth Yu since 2016, the same year Stranger Things premiered on Netflix. The relationship has been remarkably stable for a young actor navigating fame from adolescence into adulthood. The couple keeps a relatively low profile on social media but occasionally appears together at events and on each other’s Instagram accounts.
Are Elizabeth Yu and Gaten Matarazzo still together?
- Yes, they are still together as of 2024
- Their relationship has lasted over 8 years
- They have not publicly discussed marriage plans
As of 2024, Matarazzo and Yu remain together. The relationship has lasted through Matarazzo’s rise to fame, multiple seasons of Stranger Things, and the couple’s transition from teenagers to young adults. Neither has publicly addressed engagement or marriage.
For an actor who started dating at 14 and has been with the same partner for 8 years, the question isn’t whether they’re still together — it’s how they’ve maintained privacy while one partner is one of Netflix’s most recognizable faces.
The pattern: Matarazzo’s relationship stability mirrors the steady trajectory of his career — both began in 2016 and have grown without major public drama.
Is Gaten Matarazzo disabled?
Does Gaten Matarazzo have a disability?
- He has cleidocranial dysostosis, which affects bone and tooth development (IMDb)
- He does not have Down syndrome
- He has spoken about how CCD has affected his life and career (Health Insight)
Whether CCD qualifies as a disability depends on the definition. Medically, cleidocranial dysostosis is a genetic disorder that affects development, but Matarazzo himself has described his case as mild and has not claimed a disability identity. He has said the condition has benefited him professionally by helping him stand out in auditions and by giving his Stranger Things character a backstory that resonates with viewers.
Does Dustin have Down syndrome?
- No, Dustin Henderson does not have Down syndrome
- Dustin’s appearance reflects cleidocranial dysostosis, same as the actor
- The character’s speech patterns and dental appliance have led to viewer confusion
This question comes up frequently enough to warrant a clear answer: Dustin Henderson does not have Down syndrome. The character’s distinctive speech — caused by a dental appliance (prosthetic teeth) worn in later seasons — and his gap-toothed appearance in early seasons stem from CCD, which the show incorporated after casting Matarazzo. The prosthetic teeth used in season 4 were exaggerated for the character, but the underlying condition is real for the actor.
Why this matters: The confusion highlights how rarely disability and rare conditions are portrayed on screen — when they are, audiences sometimes struggle to distinguish between the actor’s reality and the character’s fictionalized version.
Are Dustin’s teeth real in season 4?
Does Gaten Matarazzo wear prosthetic teeth for Stranger Things?
- Yes, his character Dustin Henderson wears a dental appliance (prosthetic teeth) in Stranger Things (IMDb)
- The prosthetic teeth are used to reflect Dustin’s cleidocranial dysostosis
- Gaten Matarazzo himself has CCD, but the prosthetic teeth are exaggerated for the character
In Stranger Things season 4, Dustin Henderson’s dental appliance became a talking point among viewers. The prosthetic teeth are a production choice — they exaggerate the dental effects of CCD for the character, while Matarazzo’s own condition is less visibly pronounced. The show’s decision to write Matarazzo’s real-life condition into the script was made early in the first season, with the pilot episode including a scene where young Dustin explains his condition to a bully who mocks his speech.
The prosthetic teeth make Dustin’s condition visible to millions of viewers, raising awareness — but they also risk creating confusion about what CCD actually looks like in real life, since Matarazzo’s own case is milder than the character’s portrayal.
The catch: The prosthetic teeth are a narrative device that serves the character, not a documentary representation of the actor’s reality.
What is Gaten Matarazzo’s age, height, and net worth?
Gaten Matarazzo age
- Born September 8, 2002 (IMDb)
- Age 22 as of 2024
- Birthplace: Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, USA
Gaten Matarazzo height
- Height: approximately 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) (IMDb)
- His height is consistent with his age and build
Gaten Matarazzo net worth
- Estimated net worth: $3 million as of 2024
- Primary income from Stranger Things salary
- Additional income from film roles, voice work, and endorsements
Matarazzo’s net worth is estimated at $3 million, though exact figures are not publicly disclosed. The bulk of his earnings come from his leading role in Stranger Things, one of Netflix’s most-watched original series. He also earns from film roles, including voice work in The Angry Birds Movie 2, and from stage performances. At 22, he has been working professionally for over a decade — his Broadway debut came at age 9 in Les Misérables.
The implication: Matarazzo’s career trajectory — from Broadway child actor to Netflix star by age 14 — is unusually fast even by Hollywood standards, and his net worth reflects that early start.
What movies and TV shows has Gaten Matarazzo been in?
Gaten Matarazzo movies
- The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019) — voice role (IMDb)
- The House of Secrets (upcoming)
- Additional film projects in development
Gaten Matarazzo movies and TV shows
- Stranger Things (2016–present) — Dustin Henderson (IMDb)
- Les Misérables (2011 Broadway production) — Gavroche
- The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019) — voice role
- Various guest appearances and voice roles
Matarazzo’s breakout role came in 2016 when he was cast as Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things at age 13. Before that, he had already performed on Broadway as Gavroche in Les Misérables in 2011, when he was just 9 years old. His filmography also includes voice work in The Angry Birds Movie 2. He is an Italian-American actor of Italian descent, born in New London, Connecticut, and raised in Tuckerton, New Jersey.
The pattern: Matarazzo’s career has been defined by a single massive role, but his early Broadway work shows he had professional chops long before the Upside Down.
Timeline
- September 8, 2002: Gaten Matarazzo born in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.
- 2011: Broadway debut in Les Misérables as Gavroche.
- 2016: Cast as Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things; begins relationship with Elizabeth Yu.
- 2017: Publicly discusses cleidocranial dysostosis in interviews.
- 2022: Stranger Things season 4 airs; prosthetic teeth for Dustin generate online discussion.
- 2024: Still in relationship with Elizabeth Yu; continues acting and social media presence.
Matarazzo’s career timeline shows a clear pattern: every major professional milestone — Broadway at 9, Netflix at 13, public advocacy at 15 — happened earlier than almost any of his peers.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Gaten Matarazzo has cleidocranial dysostosis (IMDb)
- He is in a relationship with Elizabeth Yu (IMDb)
- He does not have children
- He was born on September 8, 2002 (IMDb)
- He is an American actor of Italian descent (IMDb)
- He played Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things (IMDb)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figures are estimates; no official disclosure
- Future marriage plans are not publicly known
- Exact details of current medical treatment are private
Quotes
“I have a very mild case of it. It’s been pretty good to me.”
— Gaten Matarazzo, on living with cleidocranial dysostosis (Health Insight)
Matarazzo has stated that most roles he booked came because of the condition (Health Insight).
He also noted that he has never really been bullied because of CCD (Health Insight).
Matarazzo’s own words frame his condition not as a limitation but as a distinguishing feature — one that opened doors rather than closed them. His public stance has made him a de facto advocate for a condition that affects fewer than one in a million people.
Summary
Gaten Matarazzo has turned a rare genetic condition into a career asset and a platform for representation. His openness about cleidocranial dysostosis has educated millions of Stranger Things viewers, while his 8-year relationship with Elizabeth Yu shows a rare stability for a young star. For the next generation of actors with visible differences, the implication is clear: being open about what makes you different can be a professional advantage, not a liability.
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Frequently asked questions
How does CCD affect Gaten Matarazzo’s acting?
Matarazzo has said his condition helped him book roles because it made him memorable. His condition was written into his Stranger Things character Dustin Henderson, and he uses dentures as a result of CCD.
Does Gaten Matarazzo have any siblings?
Yes, he has siblings, though he keeps his family life relatively private. He has mentioned his family in interviews but does not share extensive details publicly.
What is Gaten Matarazzo’s Instagram handle?
His Instagram handle is @gatenm123, where he has millions of followers and posts about his career, personal life, and advocacy.
Has Gaten Matarazzo won any awards?
As part of the Stranger Things ensemble cast, he has been nominated for and won several Screen Actors Guild Awards, including Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
What other roles has Gaten Matarazzo played besides Stranger Things?
He made his Broadway debut as Gavroche in Les Misérables at age 9, and voiced a character in The Angry Birds Movie 2. He has also taken on various guest roles and voice acting projects.
Is Gaten Matarazzo active on TikTok?
Yes, he is active on TikTok under the handle @gatenm123, where he posts behind-the-scenes content, lip-syncs, and interacts with fans.
Does Gaten Matarazzo have a baby?
No, he does not have children. This is a common misconception that has circulated online, but he has no children as of 2024.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Focus Hub, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.