Heather Matarazzo has finally crossed paths with Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo, putting a playful twist on a long-running case of mistaken identity. The Princess Diaries actress shared a smiling selfie with the 22-year-old actor on Instagram and TikTok, writing, “Finally got to meet my ‘son’. What an absolute delight he is.”
The post was a nod to years of speculation from fans who believed the two might be related, largely due to their shared last name and similar facial features. Many had even assumed Heather was Gaten’s mother, with social media comments over the years repeatedly questioning their connection. The reality is far simpler: they are not related at all.
Gaten’s real mother is also named Heather Matarazzo, but she is not the Hollywood actress. His parents, Heather and Gaetano Matarazzo Jr, raised him in New Jersey alongside siblings Sabrina and Carmen. The actress Heather Matarazzo, now 42, has been married to writer Heather Turman since 2018 and has no children.
Back in 2022, Heather directly addressed the ongoing mix-up in a TikTok duet. In the video, she shook her head and mouthed “I’m not” in response to a clip suggesting she was Gaten’s mum. She followed it up with another video praising the actor’s talent but making it clear that she could not claim him as her son.
Fans reacted with amusement to the recent meeting, with some still expressing disbelief that there was no family link. Others playfully suggested casting Gaten as Heather’s son in a future Princess Diaries instalment.
Heather remains a beloved figure for her role as Lilly Moscovitz in The Princess Diaries and recently joined the cast of Wednesday for its second season, while Gaten continues to win praise for his performance as Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things. The long-awaited meeting between the two has now given fans a satisfying full-circle moment.
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