Gaten Matarazzo Embraces New Roles After 'Stranger Things' Success

The actor discusses his stoner comedy 'Pizza Movie' and moving beyond his breakout role as Dustin Henderson.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:04pm

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An abstract, high-contrast close-up photograph featuring shattered glass and glittering sequins, conceptually representing the pressures and allure of the entertainment industry.Gaten Matarazzo's journey from 'Stranger Things' to new creative challenges reflects the entertainment industry's complex relationship with typecasting and public perception.Today in Orlando

After nearly a decade starring on the hit Netflix series 'Stranger Things,' Gaten Matarazzo is ready to take on new challenges. In an exclusive interview, the 23-year-old actor discusses his upcoming stoner comedy 'Pizza Movie' and his desire to explore roles starkly different from his beloved character Dustin. While Matarazzo acknowledges the difficulty of breaking out of typecasting, he's grateful to be in a position where he can make choices based on what feels right for him creatively.

Why it matters

Matarazzo's transition from his star-making role on 'Stranger Things' to a new genre-bending comedy highlights the challenges young actors face in Hollywood when trying to expand beyond their breakout parts. His willingness to take creative risks and push himself as a performer reflects a maturity beyond his years and could pave the way for more diverse roles in the future.

The details

In 'Pizza Movie,' Matarazzo plays Jack, a college freshman with an overbearing RA who accidentally takes a hallucinogenic drug and spends the film desperately trying to track down his pizza. The off-beat buddy comedy, written and directed by 'SNL' alums Noah Kocher and Brian McElhaney, allows Matarazzo to lean into his strengths as a comedic actor while also exploring new territory. 'I've always loved it,' Matarazzo says of playing an outsider, noting that the public perception-obsessed nature of his character resonates with the pressures of his own acting career.

  • Matarazzo starred as Dustin Henderson on 'Stranger Things' for 5 seasons over 10 years.
  • Matarazzo is 23 years old as of 2026.

The players

Gaten Matarazzo

A 23-year-old actor best known for his role as Dustin Henderson on the Netflix series 'Stranger Things,' who is now exploring new acting challenges with the stoner comedy 'Pizza Movie.'

Sean Giambrone

Matarazzo's co-star in 'Pizza Movie,' playing one half of the film's best friend duo.

Noah Kocher

One of the writers and directors of 'Pizza Movie,' an 'SNL' alum.

Brian McElhaney

The other writer and director of 'Pizza Movie,' also an 'SNL' alum.

Jack Martin

An actor who plays the hilarious RA character in 'Pizza Movie' opposite Matarazzo.

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What they’re saying

“I would love to jump into something starkly different [after Stranger Things], but there is a tug of war there. Because when you play a part for so long, it's very easy for people who are making new projects that you will go out for, for them to say, 'I see what you've done, so I know that your capabilities fall into in line with an idea that I have.'”

— Gaten Matarazzo, Actor

“It's such a competitive industry, I'm in a very privileged, very lucky situation where after working on something as successful as Stranger Things, I can say what I'm interested in doing. I can make decisions based on what feels good for me. I'm very lucky to be in that situation.”

— Gaten Matarazzo, Actor

“I've always loved it. I think, especially in comedies, something that makes it super funny and engaging is someone's desperation not to be [an outsider]. … and [Jack's] entire existence is his public perception, which is in the s***er. And it is really, really fun to approach that.”

— Gaten Matarazzo, Actor

“It's easy when you work with somebody like Sean, and it's easy when you work with somebody like Joe as well, where they're both so easy to become very close to. They're both incredibly charming, incredibly kind, very talented, and it's hard not to get close to them as actors and as people. That makes my job a little easier when the goal is to be their friend.”

— Gaten Matarazzo, Actor

“They've already [done] the, 'Hey buddy, I love you.' Hugs. They're not really concerned about expressing themselves in that way. And so then we can kind of kick off from there and let the clash that they have be a little bit more nuanced.”

— Gaten Matarazzo, Actor

What’s next

Matarazzo's 'Pizza Movie' is now streaming on Hulu, giving fans a chance to see the actor in a new light after his breakout role on 'Stranger Things.' As he continues to explore different genres and characters, it will be interesting to see how Matarazzo's career evolves and whether he's able to fully break free from the shadow of Dustin Henderson.

The takeaway

Gaten Matarazzo's journey from 'Stranger Things' star to leading a new stoner comedy highlights the challenges young actors face in Hollywood when trying to expand beyond their breakout roles. His willingness to take creative risks and push himself as a performer reflects a maturity that could open doors to more diverse roles in the future, even as he acknowledges the difficulty of escaping typecasting.