Meet 'Stranger Things' Gaten Matarazzo, Living With Medical Condition Of Cleidocranial Dysplasia

Stranger Things has been one of the most famous and expensive series of Netflix. It was made on a budget of USD 470 million and has Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, David Harbour, Charlie Heaton, Winona Ryder, and Gaten Matarazzo. The finale season took netizens by a storm as it was created on a budget of USD 470 million. Among the lead cast, Gaten Matarazzo who played, 'Dustin Henderson' became favourite of the fans.

Gaten's character has a great sense of humour and is good friends with 'Steve Harrington' played by Joe Keery. Gaten is shown to embrace his medical condition both on and off-screen. Fans of Gaten may not know that he was born with a rare genetic medical condition called Cleidocranial Dysplasia (CCD), which affects the bones and teeth. The actor, in an interview with NDTV, shared his personal experience with the medical condition, which influenced a few parts of his character.

What is Gaten Matarazzo's rare medical condition, called Cleidocranial Dysplasia?

According to a report by John Hopkins Medicine, Cleidocranial Dysplasia is a medical condition where the bones of the legs, collarbones, face, spine, skull, and teeth are affected. Individuals with this condition have bones that are differently formed, fragile, and sometimes even absent. The word 'cleido' means collarbones, while 'cranial' is a reference of the skull. The symptoms are related to the dental abnormalities and affects the collarbone and skull. Gaten, earlier in a media interview, had shared that when the Duffer brothers wanted to create Stranger Things, they wanted each character in the show to be unique.

Gaten shared that the creators wanted all the characters to be realistic and personal. They wanted unique characters that were relatable and were different. He also revealed that the creators had asked him if he would be fine if his character of 'Dustin' was bullied for having missing teeth, and the actor agreed upon the same.

Gaten Matarazzo spoke about living with Cleidocranial Dysplasia

Gaten Matarazzo, in an interview with Health Insights, shared that his experience with Cleidocranial Dysplasia was very good. He shared having a mild case with the same, and it hasn't caused him to be bullied or anything. It has benefited him in many ways as the actor revealed his acting career. Gaten revealed that Cleidocranial Dysplasia is known to impact him physically, especially his height, teeth and youthful appeal. However, the actor was always optimistic about playing roles with the same and shared:

"Hopefully, I can evolve from that, and not just get roles because of the condition. I can play parts that don't have physical disabilities or anything like that. I can play someone who isn't associated with the condition."

Gaten Matarazzo shared of undergoing a dental surgery for his Cleidocranial Dysplasia issue

Gaten Matarazzo's 'Dustin' just missed on a few teeth in the first season of Stranger Things. Gaten, back in February 2020, revealed that he had undergone major surgery to correct his dental problems and wanted people to understand that having teeth is not cosmetic and that it affects a person's well-being and health. He revealed that teeth will not come in on their own, and it's not just a matter of waiting because if one waits too long, the teeth could fuse to the jaw and one could never have one's own teeth, and then one would have to get implants. Speaking of his surgery, Gaten shared:

"I need people, and specifically doctors, to understand that it needs to be done through appliances and through medical procedures and not just time. I need people, and specifically doctors, to understand that it needs to be done through appliances and through medical procedures and not just time. It's not always about time. It's about working for it."

When Gaten Matarazzo shared whether Cleidocranial Dysplasia affected his acting career

Gaten Matarazzo, in a media statement, shared that his condition of Cleidocranial Dysplasia in some way affects him, whether it be his height, teeth, or feeling younger. Gaten shared that he was evolving from that and not just getting roles due to his condition. Gaten also shared that his condition of Cleidocranial Dysplasia benefited him in many ways. It gave him an opportunity to talk about it without feeling ashamed. He shared of being able to do many things that many kids of his age do. He shared that he is able to live like a normal person as his condition is pretty mild. He revealed of playing parts that don't have physical disabilities or anything like that. In his words:

"I can play someone who isn't associated with the condition. The Duffer brothers also helped a lot, when they wrote the condition into the show. They weren't intending on having my character have the condition, but when I told them about it they liked the idea of having a character with a disability to give him more of a unique twist and make him more relatable in a way."

What are your views on Stranger Things actor, Gaten Matarazzo, living with Cleidocranial Dysplasia?

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