Stranger Things' Gaten Matarazzo undergoes fourth surgery for rare condition
He's suffered from genetic disorder Cleidocranial dysplasia since birth
Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo, who plays the role of Dustin Henderson in the popular Netflix show, has revealed to fans he's back in hospital to undergo a fourth surgery for genetic disorder Cleidocranial dysplasia.
The 17-year-old shared a selfie from his hospital bed on Instagram, writing, 'Surgery number 4! This is a big one! To learn more about Cleidocranial Dysplasia and how you can help those with the condition you can go to ccdsmiles.org.' sic
Gaten's Stranger Things co-star Millie Bobby Brown commented on the post, writing, 'Good luck love!!! sending my love gate ❤️'. sic Matty Cardarople added, 'You’re super brave and strong man. Good vibes to you. 🍕'. sic
Actor Brady Noon wrote, 'Good luck man hope all goes well 👍🏼', with Sierra Boggess adding, 'Thinking of you!!! Here’s some 🕸 just for you 😉 ♥️♥️♥️♥️'. sic
Cleidocranial dysplasia is a rare condition that "primarily affects development of the bones and teeth. Signs and symptoms of cleidocranial dysplasia can vary widely in severity, even within the same family."
Gaten has starred in the popular sci-fi show since season one aired back in 2016, playing the role of Dustin Henderson, the best friend of Will Byers.
During an interview on The Jonathon Ross show when the series first arrived on Netflix, Gaten spoke about his condition, telling the host, "It affects your facial growth, your skull growth; it affects your teeth, so that's why I don't have any."
See all of the Stranger Things cast below:
Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers
Joyce is the mum of Will and Jonathan Byers, she is divorced and in the second season starts to date her old high school classmate Bob, played by Sean Astin.
David Harbour as Jim Hopper
Jim is the chief at the local police station, he is divorced and had a young daughter who died of cancer. He has a connection with Joyce, and adopted Eleven at the end of season two.
Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler
Mike is one of Will's friends, the brother to Nancy and Holly, and son of Karen and Ted. He later develops feelings for Eleven and they become boyfriend and girlfriend. Aww.
Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven
When Eleven first appears in the series she has just escaped from Hawkins Laboratory, she has a shaven head and is very scared, however it's clear she has some sort of unusual powers. It is later revealed that her real name is Jane and she meets her mother, who was left catatonic by the scientists at the lab. She is adopted by Hopper.
Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson
Dustin is another of Will's friends. He is has leidocranial dysplasia which causes him to lisp, however in the second season he is very proud of the two front teeth he developed. Dustin causes havoc in season two after adopting one of the Demogorgon creatures as a pet.
Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair
Lucas is also a friend of Will's. When he first meets Eleven he is very skeptical, but later starts to trust her. He later develops a relationship with Max.
Noah Schnapp as Will Byers
Will is Jonathan's younger brother and Joyce's other son. At the beginning of the first season he is captured and ends up disappearing into the Upside Down. Thankfully, he's rescued, but he has to face even worse problems in the second season as he becomes possessed by the creatures.
Sadie Sink as Maxine 'Max' Mayfield
Max was a new character for season two, initially joining the friendship group at the invitation of Lucas and Dustin, but Mike rejects her as he's missing Eleven, who has disappeared. She's also bullied relentlessly by her cruel step-brother, Billy. By the end of the season, they're all friends and Max begins a relationship with Lucas.
Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler
Nancy is Mike and Holly's older sister. In the first season she becomes Steve Harrington's girlfriend, but by the season season they have split up and she starts going out with Jonathan Byers, and the pair work together to try and expose Hawkins Laboratory.
Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers
Jonthan is Will's older brother and Joyce's son. He is a quiet teenager and not part of the popular group, however in season 2 he starts to date Nancy.
Joe Keery as Steve Harrington
Steve started off as something of a baddie in the first season after he took Nancy's rejection quite hard. However, he was the hero of the second season, looking after the younger group and being a mentor to Dustin.
Dacre Montgomery as Billy Hargrove
Billy joined the cast in season 2 with his step-sister Max. Billy is something of a villain on the show as he is constantly bullying Max, and even comes to blows with Nancy, Jonathan and Steve. By the end of the series, we realise that he's the way he is because he's bullied by his father.
Matthew Modine as Dr Martin Brenner
In season 1, Martin is the lead scientist at Hawkins Laboratory who is searching for Eleven, he briefly appears again throughout season 2.
Maya Hawke as Robin
Maya Hawke - daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman - will be joining the cast of Stranger Things in season 3 as someone who works with Steve at his summer job.
We wish Gaten a speedy recovery! ❤️