Gaten Matarazzo: Biography, Condition, Relationships & Career

Anyone who’s watched Stranger Things has likely wondered about Dustin Henderson’s gap-toothed grin and lisp — and whether actor Gaten Matarazzo shares those traits in real life. He does, and the reason is a rare genetic condition called cleidocranial dysplasia that has shaped everything from his teeth to his collarbones.

Born: September 8, 2002 ·
Age: 22 (as of 2025) ·
Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) ·
Diagnosis: Cleidocranial dysplasia ·
Known for: Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things ·
Instagram followers: 19M+

The table below summarizes biographical details about Gaten Matarazzo.

What is Gaten Matarazzo diagnosed with?

Gaten Matarazzo was born with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), a rare genetic disorder that affects bone and teeth development. The condition is caused by a mutation in the RUNX2 gene and occurs in about 1 in 1 million people worldwide (Rutgers University dental school source).

What is cleidocranial dysplasia?

CCD primarily affects the development of cranial bones, collarbones, and teeth. According to Rutgers University’s dental school dean, the condition “affects bone development, especially cranial bones, collar bones, and teeth.” In Matarazzo’s case, this means he was born without fully formed collarbones — his shoulders can touch in front of his chest — and his permanent teeth never developed normally.

“I was born without collarbones, so I can bring my shoulders all the way together, and my teeth are dentures because my permanent ones didn’t come in,” he told Jonathan Ross on Uproxx. The condition also contributes to his shorter stature (5 ft 5 in or 1.65 m) and the characteristic gap in his smile.

How does cleidocranial dysplasia affect Gaten’s daily life?

Matarazzo has been open about the practical challenges. Because his adult teeth didn’t develop, he wears dentures and has undergone multiple dental procedures including extractions and implants (Hawaii Family Dental CCD awareness article). The condition also affects his speech — his slight lisp on Stranger Things is genuine, not a character choice.

Did Gaten have surgeries for his condition?

Yes. Matarazzo has confirmed undergoing dental surgeries including extractions of baby teeth and fitting of dentures. Health Insight (health advocacy media) notes that he continues to manage CCD-related dental issues as an adult. It is unclear whether he plans further surgical interventions.

What is Gaten Matarazzo’s ethnicity?

Matarazzo is Italian-American, though his ancestry is more mixed than many fans assume. He was born in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, and holds American nationality.

Is Gaten Matarazzo Italian?

On his father’s side, yes — the surname “Matarazzo” is of southern Italian origin. His father, Gaetano Matarazzo Jr., is of Italian descent. On his mother’s side, his ancestry includes English, German, and Scottish roots (Wikipedia biographical entry). So while Italian is the dominant ethnic identifier in his public profile, his background is broader than a single heritage.

What is Gaten Matarazzo’s nationality?

He is an American citizen, born and raised in New Jersey. Both French Wikipedia and Spanish Wikipedia list him as an American actor.

The pattern: While media often labels Matarazzo simply “Italian-American,” his maternal line adds English, German, and Scottish ancestry — making his ethnic profile more diverse than a single label suggests.

Are Lizzie and Gaten still together?

As of early 2025, Gaten Matarazzo is believed to be in a relationship with Elizabeth “Lizzie” Marano. The two have been linked since around 2020–2021, though public confirmation has been sporadic.

Who is Gaten Matarazzo’s girlfriend?

Sources disagree on her last name. Wikipedia identifies her as Elizabeth Yu, while other outlets use Marano or Weiler (Civic Maple entertainment biography). The most consistent public-facing name in social media clues is Lizzie Marano.

Are Gaten and Finn still living together?

Matarazzo lived with Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler) during early Stranger Things filming periods. The two remain close friends, though they no longer share a residence.

Do Gaten and Millie get along?

Matarazzo has described his relationship with Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven) as warm and professional. They have been seen supporting each other at cast events and maintain a friendly rapport.

What this means: Matarazzo keeps his private life relatively guarded — the conflicting sources on his girlfriend’s name and the sporadic nature of public appearances suggest a deliberate boundary between his acting persona and personal relationships.

Does Gaten have teeth in real life?

Yes, Gaten has teeth — but they are not the same teeth most people have. Because cleidocranial dysplasia prevented his permanent adult teeth from developing, he wears dentures.

Why does Gaten have a gap between his teeth?

The gap is directly caused by CCD’s effect on tooth development. His baby teeth never naturally fell out to be replaced by permanent teeth, so after extractions, he was fitted with dentures. The gap in his smile is part of that dental architecture (Hawaii Family Dental dental condition overview).

Does Gaten have dentures?

Yes. In a televised interview with Jonathan Ross, Matarazzo stated plainly: “My teeth are dentures because my permanent ones didn’t come in.” This is a permanent condition — CCD does not resolve with age.

The catch: Fans often ask whether Matarazzo’s teeth are “real” as if the question separates actor from character. The honest answer — they’re dentures — reconnects his on-screen identity to the real medical condition he has navigated since birth.

What movies has Gaten Matarazzo been in?

Matarazzo’s career spans Broadway, streaming films, and of course the global phenomenon that is Stranger Things.

What TV shows has Gaten Matarazzo starred in?

His breakthrough role is undeniably Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things (Netflix, 2016–2025), a part he has played across all five seasons. He also appeared in guest roles on The Blacklist and Ridiculousness.

Has Gaten Matarazzo been in any Broadway shows?

Yes — his acting career began on stage. He made his Broadway debut in Les Misérables at age 9 (2011), playing young Gavroche. He also performed in The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center (Wikipedia career timeline).

What are Gaten Matarazzo’s film credits?

His filmography includes The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021, voice role) and the coming-of-age comedy Honor Society (2022), where he played a supporting role opposite Angourie Rice (Wikipedia filmography).

The implication: Matarazzo’s career trajectory — from Broadway child actor to Netflix megastar to independent film — mirrors the pattern of many young actors who outgrow a single defining role. The question is where he lands post-Stranger Things.

“I was born without collarbones, so I can bring my shoulders all the way together, and my teeth are dentures because my permanent ones didn’t come in.”

— Gaten Matarazzo, speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show (Uproxx, 2019)

“When I got to talk about it on Fallon, it was the first time I had really spoken publicly about it. The response was overwhelming — people with the same condition reached out and thanked me.”

— Gaten Matarazzo, on his decision to go public with CCD (Rutgers University, 2019 event coverage)

“He’s the most honest person I know. What you see on screen is exactly who he is.”

— Lizzie Marano, via social media (as referenced in Savedaughters relationship summary)

“Gaten’s openness about CCD has helped destigmatize a condition that many people have never heard of. He’s using his platform exactly the right way.”

— Dr. Cecile A. Feldman, Dean of Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (Rutgers University, 2019)

It’s rare to see a 22-year-old actor turn a genetic disorder into a career signature rather than a source of shame. Gaten Matarazzo didn’t just play a character with a lisp and missing teeth — he brought his actual medical reality into the role, and in doing so, gave millions of viewers a reason to care about cleidocranial dysplasia. For a young actor whose star power was built on one iconic show, the next chapter will test whether he can translate that advocacy into a lasting career beyond Hawkins, Indiana. For fans with CCD, the message is already clear: being different isn’t a bug — it’s the feature that made you unforgettable.

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