Gaten Matarazzo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gaten Matarazzo
Matarazzo in 2022
Born	Gaetano John Matarazzo III (2002-09-08) September 8, 2002 (age 23) New London, Connecticut, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2011–present
Partner(s)	Elizabeth Yu

Gaetano John "Gaten" Matarazzo III (born September 8, 2002) is an American actor. He first started acting on the famous Broadway stage. He played Benjamin in the musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert from 2011 to 2012. Later, he played Gavroche in Les Misérables from 2014 to 2015.

Gaten became very well-known around the world for his role as Dustin Henderson in the Netflix science-fiction series Stranger Things. He starred in the show from 2016 to 2025. He also hosted the Netflix show Prank Encounters between 2019 and 2021. In 2022, he acted in the movie Honor Society and lent his voice to Boris the Dragon in the animated film My Father's Dragon.

Gaten Matarazzo's Early Life

Gaten Matarazzo was born on September 8, 2002. His birthplace was New London, Connecticut, in the U.S. He grew up in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. His parents are Heather and Gaetano John Matarazzo Jr. His family has Italian roots, with his grandfather coming from Avellino, Italy.

Gaten was born with a special condition called cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD). This condition affects how bones and teeth grow. He has an older sister named Sabrina and a younger brother named Carmen.

Gaten Matarazzo's Acting Career

Starting on Broadway

Gaten began his journey by training his voice at the Starlight Performing Arts Center in New Jersey. In 2011, he won third place in a national talent competition for his singing. His first professional acting job was in the Broadway musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in 2011.

After that, he performed in a special youth show of Godspell in 2012. In 2013, he joined the U.S. tour of Les Misérables for its 25th Anniversary. He played the role of Gavroche. The next year, he played Gavroche again in the Broadway revival of the musical.

Becoming a Star in Stranger Things

Gaten first appeared on screen in an episode of The Blacklist in 2015. He then got the role of Dustin Henderson in the hit show Stranger Things. The show's creators even changed Dustin's character to also have cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), just like Gaten. This helped raise awareness about the condition.

The first season of Stranger Things was released in July 2016 and was very popular. Gaten had originally auditioned for a different role, Mike Wheeler. However, he was chosen to play Dustin Henderson instead.

Other Exciting Projects

Over the years, Gaten also appeared in music videos and various TV shows. In 2019, he started hosting Prank Encounters, a Netflix show where he played pranks on people with hidden cameras. He was also an executive producer for the show. That same year, he performed in Into the Woods at the Hollywood Bowl. He also voiced the character Bubba in The Angry Birds Movie 2.

In May 2022, Gaten returned to Broadway to join the cast of Dear Evan Hansen as Jared Kleinman. He also starred in the Paramount+ movie Honor Society with Angourie Rice, which came out on July 29, 2022. He voiced Boris the dragon in the animated film My Father's Dragon. In December 2022, it was announced that Gaten would return to Broadway again. He played Toby Ragg in the musical Sweeney Todd, alongside famous actors like Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford.

Helping Others: Gaten's Philanthropy

Gaten uses his fame to help others. He works to spread awareness about cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD). He also helps raise money for CCD Smiles. This organization helps families pay for special dental surgeries for people with CCD.

In February 2020, he took part in a Star Wars musical parody fundraiser called SW: A New(sical) Hope. This event helped raise money for NEXT for AUTISM. Gaten also joined a virtual reading of the movie Elf in December 2020 to support a political campaign.

On April 6, 2021, Gaten participated in a charity game stream of Among Us. He played with Jimmy Fallon, Questlove, and his Stranger Things co-star Noah Schnapp. The money raised went to Feeding America, an organization that helps feed people in need. In December 2021, he played Dungeons & Dragons with Jack Black and other stars in a livestream event called Lost Odyssey: Promised Gold. This event benefited Extra Life and the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

In November 2022, he performed in the musical Parade at the New York City Center. This was to help make sure that performing arts shows can be enjoyed by everyone at an affordable price.

Gaten Matarazzo's Personal Life

Gaten Matarazzo has been in a relationship with actress Elizabeth Yu since 2018.

Gaten Matarazzo's Acting Roles

Film Roles

Television Appearances

Stage Performances

Music Videos

Awards and Recognitions

See also

In Spanish: Gaten Matarazzo para niños