If you’ve watched Stranger Things, you know Dustin Henderson is hard to miss — and that’s partly because Gaten Matarazzo, the actor behind him, brings his own rare health condition to the role. Matarazzo was born with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), a genetic disorder that shaped his teeth, bones, and surprisingly, his career path.
Age (2025): 22 years old (born September 8, 2002) ·
Known for: Playing Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things ·
Diagnosis: Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) ·
Instagram followers: 19 million ·
Relationship status: Dating Lizze Weiler since 2018
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with cleidocranial dysplasia (Rutgers University)
- Plays Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things (IMDb)
- In a relationship with Lizze Weiler since 2018 (Rutgers University)
- Born September 8, 2002, in New London, Connecticut (IMDb)
- Whether any Stranger Things cast members have dated each other (no confirmed reports beyond Gaten and Lizze)
- Specific future career projects not yet announced
- Fourth CCD-related surgery in January 2020 (NBC News)
- Voiced Lucky in Animal Farm (2025) (Wikipedia)
- Broadway debut before Stranger Things (New University)
- Continued role as Dustin Henderson in final season of Stranger Things (IMDb)
- Ongoing advocacy through CCD Smiles nonprofit (IMDb)
8 key facts about Gaten Matarazzo, one pattern: a young actor who turned a rare genetic condition into both a career asset and a public awareness platform.
The table below summarizes Matarazzo’s biographical details, drawn from verified records.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | John ‘Gaten’ Matarazzo III |
| Date of birth | September 8, 2002 |
| Age (2025) | 22 |
| Height | 5 ft 0 in (152 cm) |
| Ethnicity | Italian-American |
| Diagnosis | Cleidocranial dysplasia |
| Relationship | In a relationship with Lizze Weiler (since 2018) |
| Children | None |
| @gatenmatarazzo (19M followers) |
What is Gaten Matarazzo diagnosed with?
What is cleidocranial dysplasia?
- Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects bone and tooth development (Rutgers University research).
- People with CCD often have absent or underdeveloped collarbones, delayed closure of the skull sutures, and dental abnormalities (NBC News report).
- Matarazzo was born without collarbones, a hallmark of the condition, as he revealed on The Doctors in 2018 (NBC News).
Matarazzo’s decision to speak openly about CCD — including on The Doctors and at Rutgers Dental School — transformed a rare medical condition into a public awareness campaign. For a 22-year-old actor, that level of transparency is uncommon and has helped destigmatize facial and dental differences for millions of viewers.
How does CCD affect Gaten Matarazzo?
- His experience with CCD has been “pretty good,” he told Health Insight, and the condition actually helped launch his acting career (Health Insight).
- He underwent his fourth CCD-related surgery in January 2020 (NBC News).
- Because adult teeth often emerge late or not at all in CCD, Matarazzo uses dentures (IMDb biography).
- He co-founded CCD Smiles, a nonprofit that helps cover oral surgery costs for people with cleidocranial dysostosis (IMDb).
Some sources use the term “cleidocranial dysostosis” instead of “cleidocranial dysplasia.” The variation is mostly terminological — the underlying condition and treatment are the same — but it can confuse readers searching for accurate medical information.
The implication: Matarazzo’s proactive approach to managing his condition — through surgery, dentures, and advocacy — shows that CCD is a manageable health issue, not a life-limiting one.
How long do people with cleidocranial dysplasia live?
Life expectancy and quality of life with CCD
- CCD does not typically affect life expectancy. Most people with CCD live a normal lifespan with proper medical care (Rutgers University medical sources).
- Common complications include dental issues and hearing loss, but these are manageable with routine treatment (Rutgers University).
- For Matarazzo, the condition has been mild and has not prevented him from building a successful acting career (Health Insight).
What this means: For fans worried about Matarazzo’s long-term health, the medical consensus is reassuring — CCD is a manageable condition, not a life-shortening one. The actor’s own public statements reinforce that he expects a full, active life.
Is Gaten Matarazzo in a relationship?
Does Gaten Matarazzo have a wife?
- No. Matarazzo is not married.
- He has been in a steady relationship with Lizze Weiler since 2018.
Does Gaten Matarazzo have a child?
- No. He does not have any children.
How long has Gaten dated Lizze?
- Matarazzo and Weiler have been together since 2018 — that’s over seven years as of 2025.
Are Gaten and Lizze still dating?
- Yes, as of the latest public information, they are still together.
Did anyone from Stranger Things cast date in real life?
- There are no confirmed reports of romantic relationships between other Stranger Things cast members. Matarazzo and Weiler are the only known real-life couple connected to the show’s stars.
Matarazzo’s relationship with Lizze Weiler has remained remarkably stable through the chaos of Stranger Things fame. For a young actor who went from relative obscurity to global recognition at age 14, maintaining a seven-year relationship is a quiet indicator of personal grounding.
Gaten Matarazzo movies and TV shows
Gaten Matarazzo Stranger Things role
- Matarazzo plays Dustin Henderson, a fan-favorite character in Netflix’s Stranger Things, a role he has held since 2016 (New University).
- The show is set to conclude with its fifth and final season.
- His character’s signature lisp was written in partly because of Matarazzo’s own speech pattern related to CCD.
Gaten Matarazzo age and height
- Born September 8, 2002, he is 22 years old as of 2025 (IMDb).
- Height: 5 ft 0 in (152 cm) (IMDb).
- His relatively short stature is partly related to CCD, though the condition’s impact on height varies widely.
The pattern: Before Stranger Things, Matarazzo had already performed on Broadway in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Les Misérables (New University). In 2025, he voiced Lucky in the animated film Animal Farm (Wikipedia). The stage-to-screen arc shows a performer who built a career on talent, not just a viral show.
Quotes from the community
“My experience with cleidocranial dysplasia has been pretty good. It actually helped start my acting career.”
Gaten Matarazzo, in an interview with Health Insight
“Gaten Matarazzo is an American actor best known for playing Dustin Henderson on the Netflix series Stranger Things. He was born with cleidocranial dysplasia, a rare genetic condition affecting bone and tooth development.”
Rutgers University profile, August 2019
“Matarazzo underwent his fourth surgery related to cleidocranial dysplasia in January 2020.”
NBC News
Summary
Gaten Matarazzo is a 22-year-old actor who turned a rare genetic condition into a platform for advocacy, all while carrying one of the most beloved roles on television. The implication for fans: CCD is not a barrier to a full, successful life — it’s a manageable condition that Matarazzo has integrated into both his career and his public identity. Support his work on Stranger Things and his nonprofit CCD Smiles, or miss out on understanding how representation of visible differences can reshape what young audiences consider normal.
vi.wikipedia.org, ms.wikipedia.org, fr.wikipedia.org, aussievoicely.com, es.wikipedia.org, briefingroom.uk
Gaten Matarazzo’s cleidocranial dysplasia diagnosis and his relationship with Lizze Weiler are explored in depth in Gaten Matarazzos diagnosis and relationships.
Frequently asked questions
What is cleidocranial dysplasia?
Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare genetic disorder that affects the development of bones and teeth. People with CCD often have absent collarbones, delayed skull bone closure, and dental issues such as missing or late-emerging adult teeth.
Does cleidocranial dysplasia affect height?
CCD can affect height, though the impact varies widely. Gaten Matarazzo’s height is 5 ft 0 in (152 cm), which is shorter than average and partly related to his condition.
Can people with CCD lead a normal life?
Yes. CCD does not typically affect life expectancy, and with proper medical and dental care, most people with the condition lead full, active lives. Matarazzo is a living example of this.
How old is Gaten Matarazzo?
He was born on September 8, 2002, making him 22 years old as of 2025.
How tall is Gaten Matarazzo?
His height is 5 ft 0 in (152 cm).
What is Gaten Matarazzo’s most famous role?
He is best known for playing Dustin Henderson on Netflix’s Stranger Things (2016–present).
Does Gaten Matarazzo have siblings?
Yes, he has two sisters — one older and one younger — according to biographical sources.
Related reading
- David Harbour — A fellow Stranger Things cast member with his own health and personal journey.
- Henry Winkler — Another actor who turned a personal health challenge (dyslexia) into a public advocacy platform.
Related stories
Jonathan MacDonald is Editor-in-Chief at Civic Maple, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.