Milly Shapiro and Dustin: Everything You Need to Know About the Viral Connection
Beyond their shared diagnosis, Shapiro and Matarazzo followed nearly identical career trajectories. Both were born in 2002, Shapiro on July 16 and Matarazzo on September 8. Both cut their teeth in high-pressure theatrical productions before making the leap to prestige television and film.
At age 10, Shapiro originated the titular role in the original Broadway production of Matilda the Musical. Her performance garnered a Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre alongside her fellow Matildas, as well as a Grammy Award nomination for the cast recording. Matarazzo mirrored this path, playing Benjamin in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert before securing the role of Gavroche in the 2014 Broadway revival of Les Misérables. Their stage training equipped them with vocal control and discipline that would later set them apart from traditional child actors.
| Profile Metric | Milly Shapiro | Gaten Matarazzo |
|---|---|---|
| Birthdate | July 16, 2002 (Tampa, FL) | September 8, 2002 (Little Egg Harbor, NJ) |
| Broadway Debut | Matilda the Musical (2013) | Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (2011) |
| Screen Breakthrough | Charlie Graham in Hereditary (2018) | Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things (2016, Present) |
| Major Industry Honors | Tony Honors for Excellence, Grammy Nominee | SAG Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama |
| Advocacy Focus | Anti-bullying, disability visibility, beauty standards | CCD Smiles (Co-founder, surgical dental funding) |
