Gaten Matarazzo has built a successful career in entertainment while openly living with Cleidocranial Dysplasia (CCD). His journey highlights how confidence, talent, and support can outweigh the challenges often associated with a rare condition.

From an early age, Gaten showed a strong interest in performance and theatre. Before television, he appeared in Broadway productions including Les Misérables and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. These early roles demonstrated his abilities as a performer and helped establish a foundation of confidence long before his rise to international recognition.

Gaten became widely known through his role as Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things. After learning that Gaten had CCD, the show’s creators chose to include the condition as part of the character’s story. This decision was made publicly and with Gaten’s involvement, turning real life experience into meaningful representation on screen. For many viewers, this was their first exposure to CCD, helping normalise differences and promote understanding.

Throughout interviews and public appearances, Gaten has spoken about how living with CCD has shaped his confidence rather than limiting it. He has explained that having a strong support system and being comfortable with who he is played an important role in his personal and professional development. His openness has encouraged conversations about self acceptance and visibility for people with rare conditions.

Beyond acting, Gaten has continued to expand his career through hosting, music, and public speaking. His continued success reinforces the message that CCD does not define a person’s abilities or potential. Instead, his career reflects resilience, authenticity, and the importance of representation in media.

Gaten’s confidence has had an impact beyond entertainment. By being visible and honest about his condition, he has helped others feel less alone and more confident in themselves. His career stands as an example of how representation can challenge assumptions and inspire people to embrace who they are.