Gaten Matarazzo is an American actor and singer, best known for his breakout role as Dustin Henderson on the Netflix science-fiction horror series Stranger Things. He began hosting the Netflix hidden camera series Prank Encounters in 2019; he also served as an executive producer. That year, he also appeared in the Hollywood Bowl production of Into the Woods. Alongside television success, he has built a strong career in theater, film, and hosting, while also using his platform to raise awareness about cleidocranial dysplasia, a genetic condition he has since birth. He uses his platform to raise awareness of cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) and fundraise for CCD Smiles, an organization that helps cover costs of oral surgeries for people with CCD.
Birth Name
Gaetano John Matarazzo III
Nickname
Gaten
Profession
Actor, Singer, Television Host
Genre
Soundtrack, Musical Theater
Instruments
Vocals
Nationality
American
Personal Life
Birthday / Date of Birth
Gaten Matarazzo was born on the 8th of September 2002, in New London, Connecticut, United States.
Age
He’s currently 23 years old.
Sun Sign
Virgo
Ethnicity
Mixed
Religion
Christianity
Education
Gaten attended Pinelands Regional High School in New Jersey. He later trained in musical theater at Starlight Performing Arts Center in New York.
Family Details
- Father – Gaetano Matarazzo Jr.
- Mother – Heather Matarazzo
- Siblings – Sabrina Matarazzo (Younger Brother)
Marital Status
Single
Girlfriend / Spouse
Gaten Matarazzo has dated –
- Elizabeth Yu (Actress) – In 2018, Matarazzo began dating Elizabeth Yu.
Physical Statistics
Height
- In feet – 5 feet 4½ inches
- In centimeters – 164 cm
- In meters – 164 m
Weight
- In Kilograms – 60 kg
- In Pounds – 132 lbs
Body Measurements
- Measurements – 30-12-38
- Waist – 30 Inches
- Biceps – 12 Inches
- Chest – 38 Inches
Body Build
Slim
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Hair Color
Dark Brown
Shoe Size
He wears a size 8 (US) shoe.
Sexuality
Straight
Professional Statistics
Famous For
Matarazzo is best known for portraying Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things. He is also recognized for hosting Netflix’s Prank Encounters and for his work in Broadway musical theater, including Les Misérables and Dear Evan Hansen.
Television Debut
In 2015, Gaten made his television debut as Finn in The Blacklist. After he was cast as Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things, the character’s background was modified to have CCD as well.
Film Debut
In 2019, Matarazzo made his feature film debut in The Angry Birds Movie 2 (voice role) as Bubba.
Singing / Theater Career
Before television fame, Gaten was an accomplished stage performer. He appeared on Broadway in Les Misérables as Gavroche and later starred in Dear Evan Hansen. His musical background significantly shaped his acting career.
Gaten Matarazzo Net worth
Gaten Matarazzo has an estimated net worth of $5 million dollars as of 2026.
Social Media Profiles
- Facebook – Gaten Matarazzo
- Instagram – gatenmatarazzo
- X – Gaten Matarazzo
Some Lesser Known Facts About Gaten Matarazzo
- Gaten was born with cleidocranial dysplasia, a rare genetic condition that caused him to be born without collar bones and affected the development of his facial bones, skull, and teeth.
- He pursued vocal training at Starlight Performing Arts Center in New Jersey. In 2011, he competed and won third place with his vocal solo titled “Ben” at the Starpower Talent Competition Nationals in Uncasville, Connecticut.
- His first professional credit was in the Broadway musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, for which he was cast as a replacement in 2011. Following the production, he took part in a special Cast of 2032 professional youth performance of Godspell at Circle in the Square Theatre in 2012.
- In 2013, he joined the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Tour in the United States in the role of Gavroche; the following year, he played the same role in the Tony-nominated 2014 Broadway revival of the musical.
- Matarazzo made his screen acting debut in a 2015 episode of The Blacklist. After he was cast as Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things, the character’s background was modified to have CCD as well.
- Over the next several years, Matarazzo also appeared in music videos and various reality and competition shows.
- On May 11, 2018, it was announced that he was cast in the animated film, Hump.
- He began hosting the Netflix hidden camera series Prank Encounters in 2019; he also served as an executive producer. That year, he also appeared in the Hollywood Bowl production of Into the Woods. He provided the voice of Bubba in The Angry Birds Movie 2.
- In February 2020, he was as part of Andrew Barth Feldman and Adrian Dickson’s Star Wars musical parody fundraiser SW: A New(sical) Hope to help raise funding for NEXT for AUTISM.
- Gaten starred in the Paramount+ film Honor Society with Angourie Rice, which was released on July 29, 2022. He voiced Boris the dragon in Cartoon Saloon’s film adaptation of Ruth Stiles Gannett’s My Father’s Dragon novel series.
- He launched CCD Smiles to help families afford dental surgeries related to CCD.
- In May 2022, Matarazzo would return to Broadway, joining the final cast of the musical Dear Evan Hansen as Jared Kleinman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gaten Matarazzo?
He is an American actor and singer famous for playing Dustin Henderson in Netflix’s Stranger Things, known for his early stage career in shows like Les Misérables and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and for openly discussing his cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), a condition affecting bone development, which was written into his iconic character’s story.
What is the real name of Gaten Matarazzo?
His real name is Gaetano John Matarazzo III.
What is the age of Gaten Matarazzo?
He is 23 years old (8th of September 2002).
What is Gaten Matarazzo Height?
The Height of Gaten is 1.64 m (5′4½”).
What is Gaten Matarazzo Educational Background?
He attended Pinelands Regional High School in New Jersey. He later trained in musical theater at Starlight Performing Arts Center in New York.
What is Gaten Matarazzo Known for?
He is best known for portraying Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things. He is also recognized for hosting Netflix’s Prank Encounters and for his work in Broadway musical theater, including Les Misérables and Dear Evan Hansen.
What is the Net worth of Gaten Matarazzo?
He has an estimated net worth of $5 million dollars as of 2026.