Gaten John Matarazzo III, famously known as Gaten Matarazzo, is a professional actor who has honed his craft since childhood.
Throughout his career, he has showcased his talent in various mediums, including Broadway shows, films, and television series.
However, his portrayal of the lovable character Dustin Henderson in the popular Netflix science-fiction horror drama series Stranger Things has truly skyrocketed him to fame and earned him widespread recognition.
Profile
- Full name: Gaten John Matarazzo III
- Stage name: Gaten Matarazzo
- Born: September 8, 2002
- Age: 21 years old
- Birthplace: New London, Connecticut
- Nationality: United States
- Occupation: actor
- Height: 1.64m
- Parents: Gaetano Jr. ,Heather Matarazzo
- Siblings: Sabrina Matarazzo ,Carmen Matarazzo
- Spouse: Elizabeth Yu
- Children: None
- Relationship: Married
- Net Worth: $5 million
Early Life And Education
Gaten Matarazzo was born in New London, Connecticut, on September 8, 2002, to Gaetano Jr. and Heather Matarazzo.
He is proud of his Italian background, having grown up in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. Gaten, on the other hand, faced a unique problem because he was born with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD).
This rare genetic disease caused the lack of collar bones and hampered the formation of his face bones, skull, and teeth.
Growing up, he shared his home with two siblings, Sabrina Matarazzo and Carmen Matarazzo, further enriching his family life.
As he embarked on his educational journey, he attended Pinelands Regional High School in Tuckerton, New Jersey, where he gained knowledge and experiences that would shape him into who he is today.
Career
Matarazzo’s Broadway journey began in 2011 when he was only 8 years old, as he stepped onto the stage to portray Benjamin in the musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Continuing his success, he later played the role of Gavroche in Les Misérables in 2014.
In 2016, Matarazzo rose to fame after landing the role of Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things, a popular Netflix series.
Since then, he has appeared in all four seasons of the show and received overwhelming praise from critics and viewers for his outstanding performance.
Beyond his part in Stranger Things, Matarazzo has a long history in acting. He has appeared in several movies and television programs, including Honor Society, Prank Encounters, My Father’s Dragon, and The Blacklist. He has also performed voice acting in animated films like The Angry Birds Movie 2.
Gaten Matarazzo, the well-known actor, was born with a rare genetic disorder called cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), which impacts the development of bones and teeth.
Despite his condition, Matarazzo has chosen to openly discuss and raise awareness about CCD, using his platform as a celebrity to shed light on this lesser-known disorder.
He advanced his advocacy efforts by founding the Gaten Matarazzo Foundation in 2017. The foundation is dedicated to providing assistance and useful information to people with CCD and those close to them.
Matarazzo aims to improve the lives of people impacted by this illness through his organization.
Awards and Nominations
- MTV Movie & TV Award 2017: Best Duo (with Millie Bobby Brown for Stranger Things)
- Shorty Award 2017: Best Actor
- Teen Choice Award 2018: Choice TV Actor: Fantasy/Sci-Fi (Stranger Things)
- Kids’ Choice Award 2018: Favorite Male TV Star—Family Show (Stranger Things)
Social Media
- Twitter: @GatenM123
- Instagram: @gatenm123
- Facebook: Gaten Matarazzo
Personal Life
Actor Gaten Matarazzo, 21, and actress Elizabeth Yu have been in a relationship since 2018 and continue to be together.
They frequently share their love for each other on social media by posting pictures and videos. Matarazzo has expressed his admiration for Yu in interviews, describing her as an incredible person and expressing gratitude for having her in his life. Matarazzo and Yu do not have any children together.
Filmography
- Stranger Things (2016–present) as Dustin Henderson
- Prank Encounters (2019–2021) as Host
- The Blacklist (2015) as Finn
- Les Misérables: The Broadway Musical (2014) as Gavroche
- Waffles + Mochi (2021) as Casey the electrician
- Honor Society (2022) as Michael Dipnicky
- My Father’s Dragon (2022) as Boris (voice)
- The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019) as Bubba (voice)
Net Worth
Gaten Matarazzo’s net worth stands at an impressive $5 million.
The talented actor gained widespread recognition for portraying the lovable character Dustin Henderson in the critically acclaimed Netflix series Stranger Things.
It is estimated that Matarazzo earns a substantial sum of $250,000 for each episode he appears in, truly highlighting his success and popularity within the entertainment industry.