An Evening With Gaten Matarazzo

Farmingdale State College students got a special treat on December 9, 2025, when Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo visited campus for a fireside chat. Matarazzo spoke openly about living with Cleidocranial Dysplasia and the foundation he started, CCD Smiles, which supports others with disabilities. He also reflected on his career as a whole, sharing insights into his journey from Broadway to television, to landing one of the biggest roles, Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things. Before you read further, I want to give a shoutout to Dr. Ron Jackson, Dr. Frank Rampello, and Lukas Miedreich from the Office of Student Activities for making this event happen!

Gaten and Sarah, the author

Before the fireside chat began, I had the chance to speak with some students and staff about their thoughts on the Stranger Things star visiting Farmingdale. Dr. Jennifer Roberts, a Biology professor at FSC, shared that she’s been a fan of the show since it first started filming. She even mentioned that she used to live in the town near where the earlier seasons were shot in Georgia. “Biology and Stranger Things go hand in hand,” she joked. “Maybe one day we’ll dissect a Demogorgon!”

True to his down-to-earth personality, Matarazzo joked about driving all the way from New Jersey just to be there and kept everyone laughing, including interviewer Dr. Shane Owens, who playfully debated with him over which towns really make up Central Jersey, and if being a Rangers fan made him a true New Jersey native.

The conversation began with Matarazzo discussing the start of his career on Broadway, sharing how his early work has shaped his path in television. He made his debut at just nine years old, starring as Benji in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in 2012, setting the stage for a career that would eventually land him in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things.

When asked if he had always wanted to be an actor, Matarazzo joked, “I had some good years of soccer in me. I’m glad I didn’t take that route.” He explained that acting started as a hobby and said he feels lucky to have found an outlet that he can now turn into a career.

As the conversation continued, Matarazzo reflected on working with Hollywood legends such as Winona Ryder and Sean Astin, “They’re incredible. A lot of the child labor laws and standards we hold today are because of people like them, who had to ask for them since they were young”. What really stuck with me was when Matarazzo talked about the people in his life who advised him to prioritize his education. Looking back, he admitted they were right, and told us that we “were doing better than him.” Hearing that from a Hollywood actor, someone who’s achieved so much at such a young age, was surreal. It wasn’t just humility; it was a reminder that success isn’t only measured by fame or career milestones, and that making smart choices, like focusing on education, can make a huge difference.

As the fireside chat wrapped up, Matarazzo reflected on moments in his life that required resilience, sharing that he approaches life’s hiccups “with humor.” The timing of the event was perfect, falling between the releases of Volume I and II of the final season of Stranger Things. Matarazzo, fully aware of the audience’s anticipation, kept teasing fans with lines like, “I know something you don’t know,” and joking with those who hadn’t watched the first volume yet: “I get the shit kicked out of me in Episode One… I just felt like doing that, sorry.”

After the fireside chat, students had the chance to enter a raffle for a quick photo op with Matarazzo, and I was lucky enough to win one! Though brief, the moment gave fans a personal chance to meet the star and snap a picture to remember the event.

Before the event, I picked up a Dustin Henderson Squishmallow for Gaten. I’m sure he probably already has one of himself, but my job released a line of Season 5 Squishmallows that matched the outfits the actors wore for the new season. I thought it would be the perfect gift, and I’m so glad I brought it, because he absolutely loved it! At first, he thought I had only brought it for the photo op, so when I told him it was for him to keep, he was pleasantly surprised.

For those lucky enough to get tickets, my friends said Matarazzo was genuinely kind and approachable. Even in just a few moments, you could tell by the way he carries himself that he’s down-to-earth, thoughtful, and really cares about connecting with people. His visit wasn’t just a chance to meet a celebrity, it was a reminder that even Hollywood stars can be humble, funny, and authentic in the simplest ways.