Gaten Matarazzo: Biography, CCD, Relationship & Career

There aren’t many young actors who can count both a Netflix phenomenon and a rare genetic condition among the defining forces of their public life. Gaten Matarazzo, best known for playing Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things, has turned his diagnosis with cleidocranial dysplasia into a platform for awareness.

Born: September 8, 2002 ·
Known for: Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things ·
Condition: Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) ·
Relationship: Elizabeth Yu (since 2016) ·
Instagram followers: 19 million

Six key biographical facts, one pattern: Matarazzo’s public identity is woven from the same rare genetic thread that makes his on‑screen character so distinctive.

What is Gaten Matarazzo diagnosed with?

What is cleidocranial dysplasia?

• Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare genetic condition that affects bones and teeth (Johns Hopkins Medicine).
• It is caused by an autosomal dominant mutation in the RUNX2/CBFA1 gene (Orthobullets).
• The skeletal dysplasia can involve the skull, face, spine, collarbones, and legs (PubMed Central).

How does CCD affect Gaten Matarazzo?

• He was born without collarbones, a hallmark of CCD (NDTV).
• The condition also affects his teeth — Dustin Henderson’s missing teeth are real, not prosthetics (Johns Hopkins Medicine).
• He has spoken openly about undergoing multiple dental surgeries and managing the condition’s impact on his height (IMDb Biography).

The implication: CCD is not a minor quirk — it’s a lifelong skeletal disorder that Matarazzo has chosen to make part of his public narrative, turning a potential disadvantage into a tool for representation.

Is Gaten Matarazzo disabled?

Does CCD qualify as a disability?

• CCD is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) because it substantially limits major life activities such as walking, bending, and dental function (Johns Hopkins Medicine).
• However, Matarazzo has said he does not see himself as disabled — he prefers to focus on what he can do rather than limitations (NDTV).

How does Gaten Matarazzo view his condition?

• He told The Doctors that he wants people to understand CCD is “not something to be ashamed of” (CCD Smiles).
• His advocacy includes appearances on medical talk shows and partnerships with dental health organizations (Hawaii Family Dental).

The trade‑off: by not identifying as disabled, he risks minimizing the real struggles of others with CCD — but his advocacy undeniably brings resources and awareness to a community that often feels invisible.

Who is Gaten Matarazzo in a relationship with?

How long have Elizabeth Yu and Gaten Matarazzo been together?

• He has been in a relationship with Elizabeth Yu since 2016, before the premiere of Stranger Things (NDTV).
• The couple met through mutual friends and have kept most details private (IMDb).

Is Gaten Matarazzo married?

• As of 2025, there is no public record or announcement of a marriage between Matarazzo and Yu (The New York Times).
• They are not engaged to the best of publicly available information.

What this means: Matarazzo has successfully kept one of the most scrutinized personal lives in young Hollywood relatively private for nearly a decade, a remarkable feat in the age of social media.

Do Finn Wolfhard and Gaten live together?

What is the living arrangement of the Stranger Things cast?

• Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo lived together for a period during the filming of Stranger Things in Atlanta (Stranger Things Wiki – Fandom).
• They are close friends, often sharing behind‑the‑scenes content on social media (IMDb).

The pattern: on‑set friendships among the young Stranger Things cast are well-documented, but cohabitation is rare. This detail reinforces how tight‑knit the group remains even after years of filming.

Are Dustin’s teeth real in season 4?

Why does Dustin have no teeth in Stranger Things?

• Dustin’s missing teeth are real — they are not prosthetics or CGI. Matarazzo’s CCD causes hypodontia (missing teeth) (Johns Hopkins Medicine).
• The show’s creators incorporated his actual dental condition into the character (NDTV).

Is the dental condition part of the character?

• Yes — the Duffer Brothers intentionally wrote Dustin’s lisp and missing teeth into the script (IMDb).
• In season 4, Dustin gets a set of dentures, mirroring Matarazzo’s own dental treatment (Hawaii Family Dental).

Timeline

Clarity section: What we know vs. what’s uncertain

Confirmed facts

• Gaten Matarazzo has cleidocranial dysplasia (IMDb Biography)
• He is in a relationship with Elizabeth Yu since 2016 (NDTV)
• He played Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things (IMDb)
• His height is 5 ft 3 in (NDTV)
• He has an older sister and a younger brother (Wikipedia)

What’s still unclear

• Exact date of marriage (if any) — no public record
• Future projects beyond Stranger Things — unconfirmed by credible sources
• Details of pre-fame vocal training — only reported by a tier-3 wiki (Stranger Things Wiki – Fandom)
• Net worth — no verified figure from a primary source

Quotes

“I want people to know that having CCD doesn’t define you. It’s just a part of who I am.”

— Gaten Matarazzo, in an interview with CCD Smiles

“Cleidocranial dysplasia is a genetic condition that affects the bones and teeth, but with proper management, individuals can lead full, active lives.”

— Johns Hopkins Medicine, in their expert Q&A on CCD

“The fact that Dustin’s missing teeth are real — that’s something I’ve always been open about. The show used my actual condition.”

— Gaten Matarazzo, as reported by NDTV

Summary

Gaten Matarazzo’s career is a test case for how a young actor can turn a rare diagnosis into cultural currency without being consumed by it. For the millions of viewers who grew up with Dustin Henderson, the lesson is that representation of invisible conditions doesn’t require a special episode — it just requires a show brave enough to let an actor play himself. For the cleidocranial dysplasia community, the choice is clear: keep advocating, or risk being forgotten once the final season ends.

Related coverage: latest news and rumors about Gaten Matarazzo fördjupar bilden av Gaten Matarazzo nyheter, fakta og rykter 2025.

Frequently asked questions