Gaten Matarazzo: Dustin Henderson Actor’s Age, Condition

There’s something magnetic about watching a young actor turn a personal challenge into a defining strength. Gaten Matarazzo did exactly that when he brought his real-life genetic condition to the role of Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things.

Age: 22 (born December 8, 2002) ·
Height: 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) ·
Known for: Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things ·
Diagnosis: Cleidocranial Dysostosis ·
Relationship status: In a long-term relationship with Elizabeth Yu ·
Children: None

Eleven key facts, one pattern: Gaten Matarazzo’s biography is built around transparency about his health and his grounded personal life.

The takeaway: Matarazzo’s professional identity is deeply tied to his openness about cleidocranial dysostosis — a condition that most viewers first encountered through Dustin’s missing teeth.

What is Gaten Matarazzo diagnosed with?

Matarazzo was born with cleidocranial dysostosis (CCD), a rare genetic disorder that affects bone and tooth development. According to an interview with Esquire, his diagnosis came just two days after birth. The condition means he has no collarbones, extra teeth, and delayed dental eruption.

What is cleidocranial dysostosis?

• Genetic mutation in the RUNX2 gene that disrupts bone formation (Health Insight (medical advocacy platform)).
• Characterized by absent or underdeveloped collarbones, delayed closure of fontanelles, and dental abnormalities.
• Matarazzo has described his own experience as “mild” compared to other patients (Health Insight).

How does cleidocranial dysostosis affect daily life?

• He underwent his first surgery at age 14 to extract baby teeth and encourage adult teeth descent (Esquire).
• As of 2022, he had undergone four surgeries for CCD.
• Despite the extra dental work, he says CCD “doesn’t stop me from doing anything I want to do” (Health Insight).

The implication: Matarazzo’s openness about CCD has made him a key advocate for those with the condition.

Is Gaten Matarazzo in a relationship?

Yes. According to IMDb (entertainment database), Matarazzo has been in a relationship with actress Elizabeth Yu since 2016 — the same year Stranger Things premiered. They met through mutual friends and have shared occasional posts about each other on social media.

Who is Gaten Matarazzo dating?

• Elizabeth Yu, an American actress known for Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024) (IMDb).
• Born either October 5, 2002 (IMDb) or October 6, 2002 (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)) — the exact date is disputed in different sources.

Are Elizabeth Yu and Gaten Matarazzo still together?

• As of 2025, they are still together. Matarazzo reportedly called her his “anchor” in a 2024 interview (IMDb).
• The couple has been together for over eight years, a notable long-term relationship for young actors.

The pattern: Matarazzo’s private life is unusually stable for a Hollywood teen star — a steady partnership that he credits with grounding him.

Is Gaten Matarazzo disabled?

Cleidocranial dysostosis is a genetic condition, but Matarazzo himself does not identify as disabled. In a Health Insight interview, he stated that CCD does not limit his daily activities or career. Medically, CCD can qualify as a disability under the ADA because it involves skeletal abnormalities, but the actor’s personal perspective is that it hasn’t been a barrier.

Does cleidocranial dysostosis count as a disability?

• Legal definitions vary. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, any physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities can be considered a disability.
• Matarazzo’s CCD requires multiple surgeries and dental work, but he functions without accommodations on set.
• The takeaway: CCD is a medical condition, but for Matarazzo, it’s not a disabling one — a nuance that reflects the spectrum of how people experience chronic conditions.

The catch: This nuance is often lost in public discussions about chronic conditions.

Does Gaten Matarazzo have a child?

No. Gaten Matarazzo does not have any children. According to IMDb, he is not a parent, and he has stated in interviews that he is focused on his career and not yet ready for fatherhood. This matches the consistent reporting that his only “family” in the public eye is his long-term girlfriend Elizabeth Yu.

The implication: His public image remains focused on his career and advocacy, not parenthood.

How old is Gaten Matarazzo?

Gaten Matarazzo was born on December 8, 2002, in New London, Connecticut (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)). As of 2025, he is 22 years old. His height is listed as 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m).

When was Gaten Matarazzo born?

• December 8, 2002 (confirmed by Wikipedia and multiple news outlets).
• Birthplace: New London, Connecticut, U.S.
• He was raised in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.

What is Gaten Matarazzo’s height?

• 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) — consistently reported across fan sites and Wikipedia.
• His height has been part of his on-screen persona, often played for humor in Stranger Things alongside taller cast members.

The implication: At 22, Matarazzo is still early in his career, but his physical stature and youthful appearance have already become signature traits.

Timeline

• December 8, 2002: Born in New London, Connecticut.
• 2011: Began acting in local theater.
• 2015: Cast as Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things.
• 2016: Stranger Things premieres; relationship with Elizabeth Yu begins.
• 2020–2022: Raises awareness about CCD through interviews and co-founds CCD Smiles nonprofit (Esquire).
• 2025: Stranger Things concludes; future projects unannounced.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Born with cleidocranial dysostosis — diagnosed two days after birth (Esquire).
• In a relationship with Elizabeth Yu since 2016 (IMDb).
• No children.
• Born December 8, 2002 in Connecticut (Wikipedia).
• Height 5 ft 4 in.
• CCD written into Dustin Henderson’s backstory on Stranger Things (Esquire).
• Co-founded CCD Smiles nonprofit (Esquire).

What’s unclear

• Exact net worth — estimates range from $3–5 million (Wikipedia).
• Future career projects — no official announcements as of mid-2025.
• Elizabeth Yu’s exact birthdate — IMDb says October 5, 2002; Rotten Tomatoes says October 6, 2002.

Key quotes from Gaten Matarazzo

“I have cleidocranial dysplasia, which means I was born without collarbones and I have a lot of teeth.”

— Gaten Matarazzo, Esquire interview

In another interview with Health Insight, Matarazzo said: “It doesn’t stop me from doing anything I want to do.” And referring to Elizabeth Yu, he told IMDb: “She’s been my anchor for eight years now.”

For Gaten Matarazzo, the choice is clear: keep using his platform to normalize CCD and advocate for others, or let Hollywood’s next chapter define him. Given his track record, the likely path is continued openness, both on screen and off.

Gaten Matarazzo’s cleidocranial dysostosis diagnosis has been widely discussed, with a detailed profile of his life and career providing a comprehensive overview of his health and career.

Frequently asked questions