Gaten Matarazzo, best known for his role as the lovable and witty Dustin Henderson in Netflix’s Stranger Things, has captivated millions with his charisma, comic timing, and heartwarming presence on screen. But behind his breakout success lies a deeply personal and often overlooked struggle—one that nearly cost him the very career he is now celebrated for. Gaten suffers from a rare genetic disorder known as cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), a condition that has not only affected his physical development but once threatened to derail his acting dreams altogether.
Cleidocranial dysplasia is a congenital disorder that primarily affects the development of bones and teeth. Individuals with CCD are often born with underdeveloped or absent collarbones, allowing for greater flexibility in the shoulders. The condition can also cause delayed loss of baby teeth, failure of adult teeth to emerge, and various facial abnormalities. For a young actor in an industry where appearance and timing are everything, these challenges can be monumental.
From a young age, Matarazzo faced numerous health-related obstacles. He underwent multiple surgeries to expose his adult teeth, which had not naturally emerged due to his condition. He has been open about wearing dental appliances and enduring frequent medical procedures—a burden most children never have to carry, let alone while pursuing a demanding career in front of the camera.
Ironically, Gaten’s unique condition became one of his greatest assets in the casting process for Stranger Things. The show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers, were so impressed by his audition that they rewrote the character of Dustin to include Gaten’s condition, seamlessly weaving CCD into the story. This was a groundbreaking move, not only in terms of representation but also in breaking the stigma associated with visible differences. For the first time, millions of viewers were introduced to a character who embraced his disorder and whose strength lay in his individuality.
Despite this eventual triumph, the road to success was anything but smooth. Before landing his role on Stranger Things, Matarazzo faced repeated rejections in the entertainment industry—many of which he later revealed were due to his appearance and his speech impediment caused by CCD. Casting directors weren’t sure how to place a young actor who didn’t fit the conventional mold of a child star. This brutal honesty from Hollywood nearly led him to give up acting entirely.
But Gaten persisted, driven by a love for performance and bolstered by an incredibly supportive family. When Stranger Things finally premiered in 2016, Matarazzo quickly became a fan favorite—not in spite of his condition, but partly because of it. He helped normalize what had once made him feel different. Fans around the world connected with Dustin’s authenticity, resilience, and humor—all reflections of Gaten’s real-life character.
Since then, Matarazzo has used his platform to raise awareness about CCD. He founded a nonprofit initiative called CCD Smiles, which supports people living with the disorder by helping them afford necessary oral surgeries and providing educational resources. By turning his personal battle into advocacy, he has become a role model not just for those with CCD, but for anyone facing invisible or misunderstood health challenges.
In an industry often obsessed with perfection, Gaten Matarazzo’s story stands as a powerful reminder that vulnerability and authenticity can shine even brighter than the gloss of Hollywood glamor. His journey is not just about surviving a disorder—it’s about thriving in the face of it, redefining what it means to be a star.
What nearly ended Gaten Matarazzo’s acting dreams became the very thing that made his success so meaningful. In his own words, “It’s one of the biggest reasons why I got the job. It’s not something I should be ashamed of.” And because of that, he’s not just acting—he’s inspiring.