Are Gaten Matarazzo and Milly Shapiro Related? the Truth Behind the Viral Rumor
By Alexander Ross
A driving factor behind the sibling rumors involves assumptions about their physical appearances. Matarazzo was born with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), a rare genetic condition affecting roughly one in every million individuals. CCD primarily impacts bone development, leading to absent or underdeveloped collarbones and delayed emergence of permanent teeth.
Matarazzo transformed his condition into an educational platform. The Duffer Brothers wrote CCD directly into Dustin Henderson's character arc on Stranger Things, demystifying the condition for tens of millions of global viewers. Matarazzo also co-founded the non-profit organization CCD Smiles, which assists low-income families in financing corrective dental surgeries, which can cost anywhere from $20,000 to over $100,000 over a patient's lifetime.
Because Shapiro possesses distinct facial features and underwent cranial surgeries in her early childhood, amateur internet sleuths diagnosed her with CCD as well. These assumptions are medically unfounded. Shapiro has never stated she has cleidocranial dysplasia. While both actors have openly confronted public bullying regarding beauty standards, conflating their medical backgrounds oversimplifies two distinct personal experiences.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
