Patients Travel to the Upside Down with Stranger Things Star, Gaten Matarazzo

Written by Seacrest Studios intern, James Pham 

Iconic Stranger Things actor, Gaten Matarazzo, took a break from fending off the “Mind Flayer” in the Upside Down to talk with patients in Seacrest Studios across the country. Patients in Atlanta, Boston, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. tuned in to meet this incredible actor who has won an “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series” award in the Screen Actors Guild Awards (2016) and the award for “Best Actor” in the Shorty Awards (2017), both for his performance of Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things

Fans of Stranger Things here at Seacrest Studios came prepared to ask Gaten Matarazzo their exciting questions. Matarazzo expanded his friendship circle and gained some amazing friends including DJ Ishani, DJ Mikaela, DJ Niko, all from Children’s National in Washington D.C., and DJ Jacob, from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 

Gaten Matarazzo enthusiastically answered questions, including his favorite part of filming Stranger Things, his most embarrassing moment in his acting career, and his favorite candy bar, and Matarazzo also explained how he got into the acting industry on accident. Although Matarazzo does not know when Season 4 of Stranger Things will be released, he did describe how “The Party” got the case of the giggles when filming the first episode of Stranger Things!

Not only is Matarazzo a big fan of Pac-Man, the Beatles, and Pokémon, but he also loves animals! During Matarazzo’s virtual visit, Barney, the therapy dog at Seacrest Studios in Washington D.C., made a guest appearance, and Matarazzo’s own dogs, Buddy and Maddie, came on-screen, too! 

To wrap up his virtual visit, Matarazzo shared some thoughtful words of advice on the theme of self-love. 

“Never feel alone. . . When people say you’re not alone, they genuinely mean it, there’s people and communities who you can go to. . . You don’t have to feel like you’re going through this alone. Don’t be afraid to tell people who you are.”

Thank you, Gaten Matarazzo, for being an inspiration for millions across the world with your work with CCD Smiles and spreading awareness about Cleidocranial Dysplasia (CCD). We look forward to watching Season 4 of Stranger Things and to seeing what’s next in your acting career!