Gaten Matarazzo, now 23, rose to international fame at just 14 when he was cast as Dustin Henderson in Netflix's hit series Stranger Things. The show turned Gaten and his co-stars Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, and Sadie Sink into household names before they even reached high school.
Nearly ten years later, the cast is preparing to bid farewell as the fifth and final season is released this month. In a recent interview with Fault Magazine, Gaten openly discussed the impact of early fame on his life.
Gaten shared his mixed feelings about becoming a child star, saying that while he is genuinely thankful for the opportunities, it also meant missing out on key moments of growing up.
"Being a child star had its ups and downs. I’m truly grateful for the experience, but it did affect my personal development into adulthood."
The sci-fi horror series not only made the young actors famous but shaped their lives during crucial years of adolescence. As they prepare to close this chapter, the cast reflects on both the joys and challenges of early success.
Gaten Matarazzo candidly discusses how early fame from Stranger Things brought gratitude and challenges, shaping his growth and personal development over nearly a decade.