Does Gaten Matarazzo Live In New Jersey

So, you’re asking the real questions. The kind that keeps you up at night, right next to “Is my phone listening to me?” and “Why is pineapple on pizza a war crime?” You want to know: Does Gaten Matarazzo live in New Jersey? I’ve been down this rabbit hole, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride through suburban lore and celebrity sightings.

First, let’s state the obvious. Gaten is from New Jersey. Born and raised. The kid oozes that specific, lovable, “exit 131” energy. He’s proud of it, too. You can hear it in his laugh, which sounds exactly like a seagull that just scored a french fry.

But living somewhere is different than being from there. Just because you grew up in a place doesn’t mean you stay. I mean, I left my mom’s basement, and that was a big step. So, what’s Gaten’s deal? Does he still hang his hat in the Garden State?

The Internet, my friends, is split. Some Reddit threads are like a detective convention. They have “evidence.” They whisper about sightings at a ShopRite in Little Egg Harbor. Others claim he’s a New York City rat now, dodging paparazzi in Chelsea. Which one is true?

Let’s look at the hard facts. When Gaten isn’t fighting Demogorgons or rocking out on Broadway, he’s been spotted at Jersey Shore beaches. Not the TV show (thank god). I mean real beaches. Sand. Crabs. The smell of boardwalk pizza. That’s his vibe.

He’s also been photographed at New Jersey Devils games. Hockey in Jersey? That’s a choice. It’s not a coincidence. Someone who hates New Jersey wouldn’t voluntarily sit through a 3-2 overtime loss on a Tuesday night. That’s love, folks.

Here’s the kicker. Gaten himself has said in interviews that he’s “a homebody.” He likes being close to his family. Where’s his family? New Jersey. Do the math. He’s not moving to Malibu to do yoga with influencers. He’s probably at home eating a Taylor Ham sandwich.

Wait, I called it “Taylor Ham.” If you said “pork roll,” we just started a civil war. That’s how Jersey he is. He knows the eternal breakfast meat debate. He lives it. That’s the mark of a true local.

NJ’s Gaten Matarazzo is returning to Broadway in Dear Evan Hansen

Now, a counter-argument. Some say he bought a place in Los Angeles for work. Sure, every actor does that. It’s like a second home, a tax write-off, a place to store your surfboard you never use. But a primary residence? I doubt it.

The “Sightings” Evidence

Let me tell you about a rumor. A friend of a friend of my cousin’s barista swore they saw Gaten at a Wawa in Hamilton Township. At 2 AM. Buying a hoagie. Now, that’s a Jersey-specific alibi. No one fakes a Wawa trip. That’s sacred.

Another tip? He’s been active in local theater charities in Ocean County. You don’t volunteer in Toms River unless you actually live there. That’s like going to a DMV for fun. It’s too authentic to be a publicity stunt.

But let’s be real. Gaten is smart. He knows his brand. He plays Dustin, who is the most Jersey-coded character on TV. That backwards baseball cap? The lisp? The attitude? That’s not acting. That’s cultural heritage.

The Gray Area

Is he there 365 days a year? Probably not. He travels. He films. He performs. But the root is there. The anchor. He’s like a really famous, well-coiffed version of a stop sign on my street. He belongs there.

I found a tweet from 2023. He posted a photo of a New Jersey sunset with the caption: “Home.” Just that. One word. Casually dropped like a mic. You don’t caption a picture of a toxic waste dump “home” unless you mean it.

Police spot 'Stranger Things' star Gaten Matarazzo at Wawa in New

Also, he still uses the term “down the shore.” Outsiders say “to the beach.” Locals say “down the shore.” He said it on Jimmy Fallon. The audience in New York? They laughed. But we knew. We knew he was one of us.

Let’s talk about the weirdest proof. His costar, Sadie Sink, once described his house as “smelling like a basement and old memories.” She said it with affection. That’s the scent of New Jersey. It’s not an insult; it’s a compliment.

So, the Verdict?

Does Gaten Matarazzo live in New Jersey? Yes, absolutely. He might have a pied-à-terre in Manhattan. He might sleep in a hotel in Vancouver for three months. But his soul? His bank account? His favorite deli? All in Jersey.

He’s not just a resident. He’s an ambassador. He’s out there repping the Parkway, the Turnpike, and the honor of the “Jersey Slide.” We should be proud. We have a founding member of the Stranger Things gang in our midst.

So next time you’re driving through a suspiciously piney part of the state, roll down your window. Yell, “Hey, Dustin!” You might get a wave back. Or you might get a “Wrong exit, buddy!” But that’s the gamble. That’s Jersey. And Gaten wouldn’t have it any other way.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to check Zillow for houses in his neighborhood. Not to stalk him, obviously. Just to... make a very long-term investment. Don’t judge me.