Inside Gaten Matarazzo's Fortune: Gaten Matarazzo ( Updated) Net Worth 2026: Career Earnings & Assets

As one of the most talked-about figures, Gaten Matarazzo has built a significant fortune. Our team analyzed the latest data to provide a clear picture of their income.

What is Gaten Matarazzo's Net Worth and Salary?

In the first season, each child actor's salary was $10,000 per episode. That worked out to $80,000 for the season.

Beyond Stranger Things, Matarazzo has continued performing on stage and in television. He hosted the Netflix prank show "Prank Encounters" and appeared in productions like "Into the Woods" and "Dear Evan Hansen." In addition to acting, he's a passionate musician and vocalist for the band Work In Progress. Known for his upbeat personality and advocacy work, Matarazzo uses his platform to raise awareness for cleidocranial dysplasia research and to support charitable causes. His blend of talent, optimism, and authenticity has made him one of the most beloved young actors of his generation.

Matarazzo's big break came in 2016 when he was cast as one of the original leads in "Stranger Things." His character quickly became a fan favorite for his humor, intelligence, and heart, providing comic relief while anchoring many of the show's most emotional moments. His real-life condition, cleidocranial dysplasia—a rare genetic disorder that affects bone and teeth development—was incorporated into his character's storyline, helping bring awareness to the condition and earning praise for its representation.

Matarazzo knew he wanted to pursue acting and dramatic arts from a young age. He began auditioning for plays on Broadway as a child. In 2011, he had a part in "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," which was performed at the Palace Theatre on Broadway. In 2014, he appeared in "Les Miserables," which was performed at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway. He then started booking television roles and appeared in an episode of "The Blacklist" in 2015.

While he was born in Connecticut, Matarazzo was raised in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, where his grandparents own a pizzeria and ice cream parlor called Matarazzo's.  He attended Pinelands Regional High School in Tuckerton, New Jersey. He also pursued vocal training at the Starlight Performing Arts Center. When he was nine in 2011, he competed at the Starpower Talent Competition Nationals in Uncasville, Connecticut. He won third place with his vocal solo entitled "White Boy Summer."

His big break came in 2016 when he was cast as one of the main roles in the Netflix series, "Stranger Things." Matarazzo was chosen for the role out of almost a thousand other young actors who auditioned. The show is a science fiction horror drama series set in the 1980s and depicts the disappearance of a young boy and the strange supernatural events that begin happening in the town in tandem with this event. The ensemble cast featured several young actors, including Matarazzo, who were widely praised for their performances. Matarazzo plays the character of Dustin Henderson, a highly intelligent young boy who loves "Dungeons and Dragons" and science and technology. The first season was a massive hit, attracting record viewership on Netflix from viewers around the world. The show was renewed for the second and third seasons, which premiered in 2017 and 2019. So far, the show has received 39 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, six wins, and several other notable award nominations and wins. The first season cast, he has also won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. Matarazzo won the 2017 Shorty Award in the Best Actor category. The fourth season was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and will be released on Netflix in 2022.

Gaten Matarazzo is an American actor who has a net worth of $5 million. Gaten Matarazzo is best known for his role as Dustin Henderson on Netflix's hit series "Stranger Things." Born in New Jersey, Matarazzo began his career on stage, showcasing his powerful singing voice in Broadway productions before becoming a television star. He made his Broadway debut as Benjamin in "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" and later starred as Gavroche in "Les Misérables." His theater background gave him a strong foundation in performance and timing, traits that helped define his portrayal of Dustin.

Matarazzo was born in Connecticut on September 8, 2002, and given the name Gaetano John Matarazzo III. He is part Italian, after his father. His parents are Gaetano andHeather Matarazzo. He has an older sister named Sabrina and a younger brother named Carmen, who have also become actors. When he was born, he was diagnosed with cleidocranial dysplasia, a condition that affects the development of bones and teeth, though it generally does not affect an individual's cognitive development.

Ultimately, Gaten Matarazzo's financial journey is a testament to their success.

Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.