Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo is convinced his rare bone disorder helped him win a main role in the hit sci-fi drama series.
The 15-year-old child star was born with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), which affects the growth of bones and teeth, and before auditioning for the Netflix show, he reveals his condition proved to be a huge hindrance in his bid to become a star.
“It’s one of the reasons why I haven’t been getting roles, because of my lisp, and the teeth situation, and my height,” the youngster explained during an appearance on the show The Doctors. “That affected pretty much everything. I would go three times a week for auditions all the time and get constant ‘no’.”
However, that all changed when Gaten tried out for the role of Dustin in Stranger Things, and happened to draw the attention of casting officials for his unusual lack of collarbone.
“It really started out when I was stretching in the audition room,” he said. “I was just (stretching) and they were like, ‘Wait, wait, wait what did you just do?’ and I said, ‘What? I’m stretching’ and they said, ‘No, do it again’ and they said, ‘Why do you do that? Your shoulders are touching…’
“So I started explaining what it was and how I had a condition from birth that affects my teeth and everything. That’s why I was missing teeth in the first season…”
Matarazzo, who has undergone two surgeries and other medical procedures to treat the condition, is now looking to help raise funds and awareness about the disorder by teaming up with officials from the non-profit CCD Smiles.
He said, “I am doing what I can to see how I can make this organization grow and try and get this foundation out there.”
The teen’s portrayal of lovable Dustin has done nothing but boost his profile, recently earning him a gig as spokesperson for Verizon FIOS.
