Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo has stolen our hearts since the Netflix show premiered in 2016. His character, Dustin Henderson, has a lisp caused by Cleidocranial Dysplasia, a rare genetic disorder he was born with that affects the growth of his teeth and bones. Matarazzo, who actually has the disease, is undergoing his fourth surgery.
The 17-year-old actor didn't give many details regarding the surgery but called the operation a "big one" on his latest Instagram post. He urged his followers to learn more about Cleidocranial Dysplasia at the CCD Smiles website.
Matarazzo received plenty of love from fans and celebrity friends. His 'Stranger Things' co-star Millie Bobby Brown showed her support commenting on his Instagram post.
"Good luck love!!!" she wrote. "Sending my love gate."
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Cleidocranial Dysplasia (CCD) is a condition that primarily affects the development of the bones and teeth. Characteristic features include underdeveloped or absent collarbones, dental abnormalities, and delayed closing of spaces between the skull bones.
Unfortunately, there isn't a cure for CCD but it can be managed by dental procedures, treatment of sinus and ear infections, use of helmets for high-risk activities, and/or surgery for skeletal problems.
Matarazzo opened up about the rare disorder during an appearance on The Doctors in 2018 and explained how it was written into the science-fiction Netflix series.
"I think what The Duffer Brothers, the directors of the show, really wanted to do, they wanted to make sure each character in the show was unique, and they had something that was realistic and personal," he shared. "They didn't want cookie-cutter; they wanted unique characters that were relatable and were different."
"So when they heard I had the condition, I told them... when I was just stretching in the audition room," he continued, adding that casting directors noticed his shoulders were touching. "I was like, 'Yeah, I was born without collarbones.' I started explaining what it was, and how I had a condition from birth. And that it affects my teeth and everything, and that's why I was missing teeth the first season."
Matarazzo revealed that once he got the part of Dustin Henderson, the Duffer Brothers were inspired by the condition and told him they were going to incorporate Cleidocranial Dysplasia into his character's storyline.
"They used it in a realistic way," he said. "They asked me if it was OK if the kids in the show had bullied me because of it. And I said, 'That's totally cool. It's realistic."
Matarazzo shared that he lost roles to the condition early in his career due to his teeth and lisp. "That's one of the biggest reasons why I haven't been getting roles," he said. "I would go three times a week up for auditions and just 'No' constantly."
Whatever casting directors said "no" to the Stranger Things star are probably regretting that decision. The fact that the Duffer Brothers saw his condition as an inspiration instead of an inconvenience, says a lot about the uniqueness they wanted to bring to the show.