At just 14, Gaten Matarazzo catapulted to worldwide fame when he was cast as Dustin Henderson in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. Now 23, the actor has shared insights about growing up in the limelight and the challenges that came with early success.
The sci-fi horror series quickly turned Gaten and his co-stars—Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, and Sadie Sink—into household names, all before they even entered high school. Nearly ten years later, the cast is set to bid farewell as the fifth and final season premieres this month.
"Being a child star had its ups and downs. I'm truly grateful for the experience, but it did hold me back in some aspects of growing up."
In an interview with Fault Magazine, Gaten candidly discussed how early fame brought success, yet also interfered with his personal development into adulthood.
As the series concludes, the young actors are preparing to move beyond the roles that defined their youth, marking the end of an era for both the cast and fans.
Author's summary: Gaten Matarazzo reflects on how early fame brought gratitude and sacrifice, shaping his journey from child star to adulthood.