How Gaten Matarazzo’s Rare Condition Became Part Of His Character’s Storyline In ‘Stranger Things’

Bringing personal truth to one of TV’s most exciting characters.

Jesse

• Published in News
• September 10, 2024

If you’re a Stranger Things fan, you’re probably counting down the days until the next season drops—though with a 2025 release date, it feels like we’ll be waiting an eternity. Sure, it’s “in the works,” but how is waiting all the way till next year any different from waiting for your pizza delivery guy to walk from Italy?

The last season dropped in 2022, so binging reruns is all we’ve got to feed our Hawkins obsession for now. While we all rewatch past seasons and dig for those hidden gems, here’s one fact you may not know: Gaten Matarazzo’s rare condition was brilliantly woven into the fabric of his character, Dustin Henderson.

Yep, you heard that right. Gaten Matarazzo, the beloved face of Dustin Henderson, has a rare genetic disorder called cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD). The creators of Stranger Things didn’t shy away from it; instead, they seamlessly wrote it into the storyline.

In the very first episode of Stranger Things (yep, all the way back in 2016—feeling old yet?), Gaten’s character Dustin responds to bullies with a memorable line: “It’s called cleidocranial dysplasia.” Boom. 

Not many actors get to have their real-life medical condition written into a show, but Matarazzo’s journey with CCD became part of Dustin’s charm.

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Gaten, who turned 22 this past Sunday, didn’t just pull this rare disorder out of thin air. CCD is a genetic condition that affects bone and teeth development, causing issues like underdeveloped collarbones—or in his case, no collarbones at all. Also, those charming pearly whites of his we see? They're fake.

Gaten doesn’t shy away from conversations about his condition.

In a 2018 interview, Gaten admitted that CCD had made it tough to land acting gigs. Many casting directors couldn’t quite see past his condition, but Stranger Things was the glorious exception.

When Gaten landed the role, the showrunners decided to incorporate CCD into Dustin’s character, making it real and relatable. And let’s be honest, if there’s one thing Dustin knows how to do, it’s owning his differences and turning them into pure gold.

What’s even cooler? Gaten gave the thumbs-up to having his character bullied because, as he put it, "It's realistic." For him, raising awareness about the condition was not just personal but also an important opportunity to educate viewers. 

When your favorite actor isn’t just on screen but also leading real-world conversations.

He didn’t shy away from his condition or let it define him. Instead, he showed the world that having CCD doesn’t stop him from slaying both monsters—and auditions.

We’ve watched Gaten grow up, and let’s just say his style game is leveling up faster than Eleven’s powers.

Thanks to Gaten's openness, more people have become aware of cleidocranial dysplasia, a condition that reportedly affects one in a million. However, as experts point out, the number could be higher since milder cases often go unnoticed. 

The effects can range from the top of the skull to the soles of the feet. But in true Gaten fashion, he’s owning it, using his platform to shine a spotlight on the condition, and making it clear to everyone that it's totally okay to be different.

Jesse