Gaten Matarazzo Recalls 'Uncomfortable' Encounter With 'Stranger Things' Fan In Her 40s

The Netflix actor said the woman told him, "I’m aware of the age difference."

Gaten Matarazzo endeared himself to audiences of all ages as Dustin on “Stranger Things,” but the actor says the cross-generational appeal of the period 1980s horror series has led to a number of awkward fan interactions.

Appearing on this week’s episode of the “Inside of You” podcast, Matarazzo, 21, recalled a few “uncomfortable” moments with “Stranger Things” viewers, including a recent encounter with a middle-aged mom and her teen daughter.

“I did [an event] very recently — and this is not very funny, but the reactions around it were quite funny — where this woman in her 40s said straight up, ‘I’ve had a crush on you since you were 13,’” he said. “And I was like, ‘That’s upsetting.’ I’m sure she just meant, ‘Aw, this kid’s cute.’ But then she doubled down.”

He went on to note: “She was like, ‘I’m aware of the age difference.’ And then I was like, ‘Alright.’” And her daughter was with her, and her daughter goes, ‘Mom, what the fuck?’ I swear to God.”

Matarazzo isn’t the only “Stranger Things” cast member to address the questionable treatment he’s received from some of the show’s viewers.