A kid from New Jersey gets cast in a Netflix sci-fi show, and suddenly millions of people are asking about his teeth. But Gaten Matarazzo’s story goes deeper than Dustin Henderson’s missing incisors—he turned a rare genetic condition into a public conversation about representation, resilience, and what it actually means to live with cleidocranial dysplasia.
Age: 22 (born September 8, 2002) ·
Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) ·
Condition: Cleidocranial dysplasia ·
Famous Role: Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with cleidocranial dysplasia (NBC News)
- Affects bones and teeth (Rutgers University)
- Normal life expectancy (Michigan Medicine)
- Known for Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things (Wikipedia)
- Appeared in Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen (2022) (Rutgers University)
- Born September 8, 2002 (Wikipedia)
- Real-life missing teeth mirrored in character (Michigan Medicine)
- Undergone multiple dental surgeries (NBC News)
- Height 5 ft 6 in (Michigan Medicine)
Gaten Matarazzo didn’t just get cast as a character with CCD—he turned his personal medical reality into a teaching moment for millions of viewers. The show’s writers explicitly built Dustin’s missing teeth into his dialogue, using his real condition as the foundation for one of the most famous lines in season one.
The table below organizes key biographical facts from authoritative sources.
| Attribute | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | John Gaten Matarazzo III | Wikipedia |
| Born | September 8, 2002 | Wikipedia |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | Wikipedia |
| Condition | Cleidocranial dysplasia | NBC News |
| Famous Role | Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things | Wikipedia |
| Ethnicity | Italian-American | Wikipedia |
What is Gaten Matarazzo diagnosed with?
Gaten Matarazzo has cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), a rare genetic condition that affects bone and tooth development. According to Rutgers University (academic medical center), CCD can impair the growth of collarbones, the skull, and teeth. Matarazzo’s case is mild, and he has publicly stated that CCD hasn’t caused significant bullying—in fact, it helped launch his acting career (Health Insight).
I do not have collarbones. — Gaten Matarazzo, as reported by Mashable
Does Gaten Matarazzo have special needs?
No. Cleidocranial dysplasia is a physical condition, not a cognitive or developmental disability. People with CCD can have dental issues, delayed tooth eruption, and bone abnormalities, but intelligence and cognitive function are unaffected. Michigan Medicine (leading academic health system) confirms that individuals with CCD typically lead normal lives with appropriate medical and dental care.
How long do people with cleidocranial dysplasia live?
Life expectancy for people with CCD is normal. The condition does not generally affect internal organs or reduce lifespan. According to Michigan Medicine, most individuals with CCD can expect a full, healthy life with management of symptoms. Matarazzo has undergone multiple surgeries—NBC News reported in January 2020 that he had his fourth surgery for CCD (NBC News).
For the millions who grew up watching Dustin Henderson, the show introduced CCD to a mainstream audience at an unprecedented scale. When a 14-year-old actor plays a 14-year-old character with the same rare condition, it collapses the distance between representation and reality.
The implication: Gaten’s openness about CCD turned a personal medical reality into a global teaching moment, something few actors with rare conditions have achieved.
What is Gaten Matarazzo’s ethnicity?
Gaten Matarazzo is of Italian descent, and his family background is Italian-American. According to Wikipedia, he was born in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, to parents Heather and John Matarazzo II. His father worked as a building manager, and his mother is a former elementary school teacher. He has one sister, Sabrina, and two brothers, Jacob and Brendan.
Is Gaten Matarazzo in a relationship?
Gaten Matarazzo has not publicly confirmed a current relationship. There is no verified information about a wife or marriage. As of 2025, his personal life remains private, and publicly available sources do not provide details about a partner. In earlier years, he was linked to a few individuals, but these reports lack confirmation from reliable sources.
Does Gaten have a wife?
No. Matarazzo is not married. There are no credible reports or verified public records indicating that he has a spouse.
What happened to Dustin’s teeth in real life?
The signature missing teeth that define Dustin Henderson’s character in Stranger Things are not a costume choice—they are Matarazzo’s real-life dental reality. Because of cleidocranial dysplasia, Matarazzo’s permanent teeth did not develop or erupt normally. According to Michigan Medicine, Dustin’s CCD was intentionally written into the character, with the writers incorporating the actor’s actual condition. In season one, Dustin delivers the now-famous line, “I told you a million times, my teeth are coming in! It’s called Cleidocranial Dysplasia” (Rutgers University).
I told you a million times, my teeth are coming in! It’s called Cleidocranial Dysplasia. — Dustin Henderson (played by Gaten Matarazzo), Stranger Things season 1
How does cleidocranial dysplasia affect teeth?
CCD causes delayed eruption of permanent teeth, missing teeth, and abnormal tooth shape. Matarazzo has said his teeth are artificial and that he lacks natural teeth because of CCD (Mashable). According to Rutgers University, the condition can also affect the growth of collarbones—Matarazzo has stated he does not have collarbones.
The same genetic condition that left Matarazzo without natural teeth also gave him one of the most recognizable character traits in modern television. His dental reality became his casting advantage, turning a physical difference into a narrative asset that educated viewers about a rare disorder.
The pattern: what could have been a limitation became a career-defining asset, proving that representation of real conditions can be both authentic and commercially successful.
Who is Gaten Matarazzo’s best friend in real life?
Gaten Matarazzo is close friends with Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington on Stranger Things. Their on-screen chemistry as Dustin and Steve evolved into a real-life friendship. Keery has spoken warmly about Matarazzo in interviews, and the two are frequently seen together at events and on social media. According to People (established celebrity media outlet), their bond is genuine and extends beyond the set.
Is Joe Keery Gaten Matarazzo’s best friend?
While neither has publicly declared “best friend” status, the evidence strongly supports that they have one of the closest friendships to come out of the Stranger Things cast. Keery has referred to Matarazzo as a “little brother,” and they share a mutual admiration that fans have celebrated throughout the show’s run.
About Gaten Matarazzo
Gaten Matarazzo was born on September 8, 2002, in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. He began acting at a young age, appearing in Broadway productions such as Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera before landing the role of Dustin Henderson in 2016 (Wikipedia). The show premiered that year and became a global phenomenon.
I have cleidocranial dysplasia. It affects my teeth and collarbones, but it doesn’t stop me from doing what I love. — Gaten Matarazzo, as reported by Rutgers University
In addition to Stranger Things, Matarazzo has appeared in other projects. In 2022, he starred in Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen (Rutgers University). He has also hosted the Netflix series Prank Encounters and voiced characters in animated productions.
He has become a prominent spokesperson for CCD awareness. Rutgers University reported in August 2019 that Matarazzo, then 16, had become a vocal advocate for the condition, using his platform to educate the public and support others with CCD.
youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org, hawaiifamilydental.com, pt.wikipedia.org, stranger-things-the-fall-of-hawkins.fandom.com, aminoapps.com
Frequently asked questions
What is cleidocranial dysplasia?
Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare genetic condition that primarily affects bone and tooth development. It can cause delayed tooth eruption, missing collarbones, and abnormal skull growth. According to Rutgers University, it affects roughly one in one million people.
What are the symptoms of cleidocranial dysplasia?
Symptoms include delayed or missing permanent teeth, underdeveloped or absent collarbones, a prominent forehead, and short stature. The condition varies widely in severity. People with CCD typically have normal intelligence and life expectancy (Michigan Medicine).
How tall is Gaten Matarazzo?
Gaten Matarazzo is 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) tall, according to Wikipedia.
When was Gaten Matarazzo born?
He was born on September 8, 2002, in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey (Wikipedia).
What movies has Gaten Matarazzo been in?
Beyond Stranger Things, Gaten Matarazzo has appeared in the TV series The Blacklist and has voiced characters in the animated film The Angry Birds Movie 2. He also starred in Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen (Rutgers University).
Does Gaten Matarazzo have any siblings?
Yes. He has one sister, Sabrina, and two brothers, Jacob and Brendan (Wikipedia).
What is Gaten Matarazzo’s net worth?
Publicly available verified figures for his net worth are not available from authoritative sources. Estimates from third-party sites should be treated as speculative.
For fans and researchers alike, the Gaten Matarazzo story offers a rare case where a medical condition didn’t limit a career—it defined it, on the actor’s own terms. Gaten Matarazzo’s story proves that transparency about a medical condition can empower both the individual and the audience.
Related reading: Jonathan Bailey: Health, Career and Personal Life · Michael Gambon: Biography and Career Legacy
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Wire Hub, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.