“Stranger Things” star Gaten Matarazzo recalled one of the first premieres of the hit Netflix show.
“Like three people” showed up, he told Cheddar, and “the only thing they asked was, ‘How’s Winona?’”
He said the 1980s-set sci-fi drama, whose biggest star Winona Ryder had been largely out of the Hollywood spotlight for about two decades, was initially rejected by major networks that thought it was nothing more than a kids show.
But the surprising popularity of “Stranger Things,” which is now preparing for production of its third season, runs parallel to Matarazzo’s own unexpected rise to fame.
The 15-year-old who plays Dustin suffers from Cleidocranial Dysplasia (CCD), a genetic condition that impacts bone development. He was born without a collarbone.
“I only have a tiny little piece of one,” he said.
Matarazzo said the abnormality led to many rejections. But when he auditioned for this part, it became “one of the sellers that gave me the role in the first place.”
“They want the characters to be relatable [and] unique, of course, and realistic.”
Now, he tries to raise awareness for the condition.
“I have a very mild case of it...a lot of people have it a lot harder than I do,” he said.
And if his filming schedule weren’t enough, Matarazzo is part of a rock band, “Work In Progress,” which will be performing at West Hollywood’s Troubadour next month.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/stranger-things-star-gaten-matarazzo-on-shows-surprising-success).
Actress Scarlett Johansson is opening up to Variety about her legal battle against Disney. The actress filed a lawsuit against the entertainment giant back in 2021 over the decision to release Black Widow in theaters and streaming at the same time, a move she says hurt the film's box office potential.
Actor Jonathan Majors was confronted Tuesday with a revised domestic violence charge stemming from a woman’s allegations that the Marvel star twisted her arm, struck her head and shoved her into a vehicle in New York City in March.
A petit basset griffon Vendéen named for Buddy Holly won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show Tuesday night.
A woman's love of music and singing was passed down to a special member of her family - her dog. Now they're singing duets together.
The 147th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show kicked off Tuesday at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Cheddar News went behind the scenes to see how dogs and their handlers have prepared for this moment.
The top entertainment headlines for May 9, 2023.
Singer and YouTube star Dani Apple taught her dog, Clarence, a special trick: singing along with her while she's rehearsing.
'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' brought in $114 million domestically in its box-office debut in North America.
The top entertainment headlines for May 8, 2023.
Cheddar's own Shannon LaNier went to a temple right here in New York City to learn more about the martial arts tradition known as Kung Fu from actual Shaolin warrior monks.
