Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gaten Matarazzo

How Gaten Matarazzo built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Gaten Matarazzo is an American actor known for his stage and screen work. He started his career on Broadway, appearing in productions like 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' and 'Les Misérables.' He rose to prominence for his role as Dustin Henderson in the Netflix hit series 'Stranger Things'. He also hosted the Netflix show 'Prank Encounters'. Matarazzo's other notable roles include co-starring in the film 'Honor Society' and voicing Boris the Dragon in 'My Father's Dragon'.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2011: Broadway Debut in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

In 2011, Gaten Matarazzo began his career on the Broadway stage as Benjamin in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

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2011: Talent Competition Win and Broadway Casting

In 2011, Gaten Matarazzo won third place at the Starpower Talent Competition Nationals with his vocal solo "Ben". He was also cast as a replacement in the Broadway musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in 2011.

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2012: "Cast of 2032" Performance

In 2012, Gaten Matarazzo participated in a special "Cast of 2032" professional youth performance of Godspell at Circle in the Square Theatre.

2013: Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Tour

In 2013, Gaten Matarazzo joined the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Tour in the United States as Gavroche.

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2014: Role in Les Misérables

In 2014, Gaten Matarazzo played Gavroche in Les Misérables on Broadway.

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2014: Les Misérables Broadway Revival

In 2014, Gaten Matarazzo played Gavroche in the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of Les Misérables.

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2015: Screen Acting Debut in The Blacklist

In 2015, Gaten Matarazzo made his screen acting debut in an episode of The Blacklist.

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July 2016: Premiere of Stranger Things Season 1

In July 2016, the first season of Stranger Things, featuring Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, premiered to critical acclaim.

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2016: Stranger Things Debut

In 2016, Gaten Matarazzo gained recognition for playing Dustin Henderson in the Netflix science-fiction-horror drama series Stranger Things.

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May 11, 2018: Casting in Hump

On May 11, 2018, it was announced that Gaten Matarazzo was cast in the animated film, Hump.

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2019: Hosting Prank Encounters and Other Appearances

In 2019, Gaten Matarazzo began hosting the Netflix hidden camera series Prank Encounters, served as an executive producer, appeared in the Hollywood Bowl production of Into the Woods, and provided the voice of Bubba in The Angry Birds Movie 2.

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2019: Hosting Prank Encounters

In 2019, Gaten Matarazzo began hosting the Netflix show Prank Encounters.

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February 2020: Participation in SW: A New(sical) Hope

In February 2020, Gaten Matarazzo was part of Andrew Barth Feldman and Adrian Dickson's Star Wars musical parody fundraiser SW: A New(sical) Hope to help raise funding for NEXT for AUTISM.

December 13, 2020: Elf Virtual Table Reading

On December 13, 2020, Gaten Matarazzo joined the cast of Elf for a virtual table reading in support of the Democratic Party of Georgia's campaign in the 2021 Georgia runoff elections.

April 6, 2021: Charity Among Us Stream

On April 6, 2021, Gaten Matarazzo participated in an hour-long charity Among Us stream on The Tonight Show's Twitch account with Jimmy Fallon and others, with proceeds going towards Feeding America.

December 2021: Dungeons and Dragons Livestream for Charity

In December 2021, Gaten Matarazzo played Dungeons and Dragons with Jack Black and other stars in the Lost Odyssey: Promised Gold livestream event that benefited Extra Life and the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

2021: End of Prank Encounters

In 2021, Gaten Matarazzo finished hosting the Netflix show Prank Encounters.

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2021: Supporting the Democratic Party of Georgia

In 2021, Gaten Matarazzo participated in a virtual table reading of Elf in support of the Democratic Party of Georgia's campaign in the Georgia runoff elections.

May 2022: Return to Broadway in Dear Evan Hansen

In May 2022, it was announced that Gaten Matarazzo would return to Broadway, joining the final cast of the musical Dear Evan Hansen as Jared Kleinman.

July 29, 2022: Release of Honor Society

On July 29, 2022, Gaten Matarazzo starred in the Paramount+ film Honor Society with Angourie Rice, which was released.

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November 2022: Performance in Parade

During the first week of November 2022, Gaten Matarazzo performed in the musical Parade at the New York City Center.

December 2022: Return to Broadway in Sweeney Todd Revival

In December 2022, it was announced that Gaten Matarazzo would be returning to Broadway as Toby Ragg in Thomas Kail's revival of Sondheim and Wheeler's Sweeney Todd.