Antisemitism. Mental health disorders. Legal troubles. As it turns out,
many of the cast members of Netflix's hit sci-fi series "Stranger Things" have had their share
of hardships. What's the story behind these tragic details? Keep watching to find out!
Sometimes, an actor's talent is unmistakable. That became clear for
Millie Bobby Brown when she broke out as the star of "Stranger Things" in the first season.
While her peers in the cast were largely playing typically rambunctious young boys,
Brown was tasked with portraying a very different young girl. Named simply Eleven, Brown's character
never obtained a normal education. Once she escaped the horrors of the lab she was raised in,
she was shaken to her core living in a world she simply didn't recognize or understand. Brown made
us believe that El was truly a laboratory guinea pig lost somewhere beyond her cage.
"Who are you in trouble with?"
"Bad."
Apparently Brown's parents had a great amount of faith in their daughter and her talent.
According to the Daily Mail, they sold nearly all of their possessions so they could move
their daughter to Los Angeles and give her the exposure she needed. The family didn't
have much and nearly entered bankruptcy. Brown's manager even loaned them some money to help them
get by — a gamble that paid off when "Stranger Things" rocketed the young actor to stardom.
Since making an impression in his breakout role as Mike Wheeler,
Finn Wolfhard has become a heavily sought-after talent in Hollywood. As his star rose to fame,
he joined big-budget projects such as 2017's "It" and 2021's "Ghostbusters:
Afterlife." Clearly, Wolfhard has a penchant for starring in '80s-era nostalgia trips.
"School's out for summer!"
On "Stranger Things," Mike became something of a leader among his small band of friends
and, ultimately, Eleven's love interest — as well as a fan favorite.
Wolfhard's journey to stardom didn't come without a few struggles. In talking with the
Washington Post, he revealed how difficult it had been to maintain his normal teenage friends
and balance life as an actor. Furthermore, he had the ugly task of firing his agent in 2017 after
hearing of multiple sexual misconduct allegations levied against the man. Despite the upheaval,
Wolfhard states that it was one of the easiest decisions he's ever had to make. He explained:
"He was abusing his power. When it comes to something like that, you can't be personal."
Clearly, no amount of stardom will keep him from having a good head on his shoulders.
Winona Ryder has been a fixture of cinema since her days as a young star
sharing the screen with Michael Keaton's Beetlejuice. After her torrid rise in the
'80s and early 90s, Ryder largely receded from the spotlight for several years; more recently,
she's made something of a comeback, largely buoyed by her casting in "Stranger Things."
"Are you alive?"
Ryder's career has had more ups than downs, but it certainly hasn't been without its darker moments,
including her experiences with antisemitism. She's talked about being subjected to remarks
about her appearance, with one studio head claiming that she,
quote, "looked 'too Jewish' to be in a blue-blooded family."
In Ryder's experience, comments of this nature were sadly par for the course.
Ryder's family history has a remarkably dark cloud hanging over it, including family members who died
in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. While she doesn't consider herself religious,
her heritage is precious, and her painful family history is ever-present in her life.
And if the antisemitism isn't bad enough, she's also been told by casting directors
that she simply isn't pretty enough to be an actress. Which is just…hilariously false.
"Look at me now. I get to date Joyce Byers. Ha! Are you kidding me? I get to date Joyce Byers!"
Everybody loves Dustin. Really, what's not to love? He's playful,
witty, and incredibly brilliant when it comes to figuring out this whole Upside Down business.
Gaten Matarazzo, the young actor behind the character,
exudes a charm and charisma that seems to just be a part of who he is.
"Why are you listening to the music, Steve? Listen to the Russian! We're translating Russian!"
Unbeknownst to many, Matarazzo has lived with a condition known as cleidocranial dysplasia — or
CCD — which affects bone and teeth growth. As a result, the actor has experienced a
lisp and stunted growth that impacted his ability to land acting roles until "Stranger
Things" came along. In fact, Dustin's missing teeth in the first season is because of CCD;
the showrunners actually incorporated Matarazzo's condition into the development of his character.
Matarazzo has continued raising awareness for the condition and has even worked with
the non-profit organization CCD Smiles in an effort to raise money for those affected by it.
If "Stranger Things" is any indication, he has a bright future ahead of him.
The rough and gruff former police chief Jim Hopper is brought to life by actor David Harbour,
who landed an early big break at the turn of the century as the recurring character Officer
Shanks on "As the World Turns." He soon started making small appearances in big-screen hits
such as "Brokeback Mountain," and "Quantum of Solace" before landing
bigger parts in movies like "The Green Hornet" and "Black Widow."
He was also tapped to play the comic book hero Hellboy in the 2019 franchise reboot.
"Hey! I'm on your side!"
Throughout this rise to stardom, Harbour has learned to live with and manage his
bipolar diagnosis. In an interview with NPR, he mentioned how he was institutionalized in
his mid-20s before receiving a clear diagnosis and undergoing treatment.
Harbour has gone on to talk about his anxiety over his medication affecting his acting capabilities,
candidly opening up about the diagnosis as an example of success for those who fear living
with the disorder. He hopes to have more candid discussions about bipolar disorder, helping others
understand that a person's capabilities aren't necessarily defined by their mental illness.
Jonathan Byers, played by Charlie Heaton, is fiercely protective of his family.
His dedication to protecting those he cares about draws the interest of Nancy
Wheeler — an attraction that's been mirrored in real life as the two actors are actually an item.
"What if I just don't let you go?"
He's part of a massively successful TV series, but Heaton has still run into his fair share
of trouble. In 2017, just before the premiere of Season 2 of "Stranger Things," he was denied entry
into the United States after authorities allegedly found a small amount of cocaine in his luggage;
he was absent from the premiere as a result. The actor has maintained
that he was never charged with a crime. As he told Flaunt Magazine:
"It was hard. Everything happened so fast, and I hadn't come to terms
with the fact that I was famous. [And] something steps in from the work you
are doing and breaks into your personal life [...] you feel kind of vulnerable."
Despite that issue, Heaton hasn't missed a beat as Jonathan continues
combating all the monstrosities the Upside Down throws his way.
Maya Hawke, daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman,
had access to the best advice in the world when it comes to breaking into the industry.
In her role as Robin on "Stranger Things," she serves as the voice
of reason when hanging around Steve and discovering the horrors of the Upside Down.
"I don't understand what happened to that car."
"El has super powers."
"I'm sorry?"
"Super powers. She threw it with her mind. Come on, catch up."
As capable as Hawke is, she didn't always have the confidence to pursue an acting career.
She revealed to The Sydney Morning Herald that she struggled with dyslexia growing up,
recounting that she bounced around from school to school hoping to find the right place.
During this period, she found inspiration from her favorite literary works,
especially "Little Women." Hawke went on to play Jo March in a 2017 adaptation of the novel;
the kinship she felt with Jo is vibrantly expressed in the character's sense of wonder
and determination. She finally landed in a school that encouraged creative expression,
which is where Hawke gained an appreciation for drama and acting. "Stranger Things" fans
everywhere are grateful — Robin simply wouldn't be the same without Hawke playing the character.
Check out one of our newest videos right here! Plus,
even more Looper videos about your favorite shows are coming soon.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell so you don't miss a single one.