For Gaten Matarazzo, life under the bright lights started early.
The Stranger Things star, now 23, catapulted into global fame at just 14 when he was cast as the quick-witted Dustin Henderson on Netflix’s sci-fi horror hit.
While the show made him and his co-stars household names before high school, Gaten admits that growing up on set came with unexpected challenges for his personal development.
In a candid interview with Fault Magazine, he opened up about the highs and lows of childhood stardom, acknowledging the incredible opportunities he received while also noting what he missed out on as a result.
The Perks and Pitfalls of Early Fame
“I’m surrounded by love, gratitude, and a deep passion for what I do, and I truly recognize how fortunate that is,” Gaten said.
Yet he confessed that he sometimes felt pressure to constantly vocalize his appreciation, making it “feel stupid to complain.”
He added, “I missed out on certain experiences and nuances that might have helped me grow into a more well-rounded adult.
In some ways, I’m probably still a bit of a kid because I never had the chance to develop those parts of myself fully — even though what happened to me was ultimately a very good thing.”
Advice for the Next Generation of Child Stars
Gaten also shared insights for young actors entering the industry, including the new cast of the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series.
His advice? “Just focus on having as much fun as possible — that’s really what it’s all about.”
Dustin Henderson Became Part of Gaten’s Life
After nearly a decade of playing Dustin, stepping away from the role will be challenging.
The actor revealed how embodying his character instinctually shaped him, especially in coping with personal grief.
“There were moments when our experiences strangely aligned — we both lost people unexpectedly around the same time.
It was surreal but also therapeutic. Playing him helped me process my own grief, even if that’s not the healthiest outlet,” Gaten explained.
Facing the Final Season of Stranger Things
As fans eagerly await the show’s fifth and final season, Gaten teased the state of Dustin and the Hawkins gang.
Set in the fall of 1987, the town is under a military lockdown while the gang contends with the chaos Vecna unleashed at the end of season four.
“Dustin is in a bit of a funk. I think everybody probably is considering the state that Hawkins is in, and it’s getting a little harder for the gang to keep all the pieces together,” Gaten said.
The series continues to explore the fallout from previous events, balancing the characters’ personal struggles with the looming supernatural threat.
What to Expect in the Final Episodes
Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) is in hiding and training to confront Vecna, while the trailer hints that Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) will face the creature directly.
The final season is split into two volumes: Volume 1 premieres November 26 with four episodes, followed by three episodes on Christmas Day, and the ultimate finale on New Year’s Eve.
Returning cast members include Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, Brett Gelman, and Jamie Campbell Bower.
According to Netflix’s synopsis: “[Vecna] has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown.
Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding.
As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread.
The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and deadly than anything they’ve faced before.
To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time.”