Audiences first met the world of Stranger Things in 2016, and since then the show’s mix of supernatural mystery and 1980s nostalgia has made the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, a cultural phenomenon. The series launched a new generation of stars and turned many cast members into household names.
Below is a refreshed, easy-to-read guide to the Stranger Things cast: birth details, estimated net worth, and concise career highlights that explain how these actors rose to fame.
Note: Ages are listed as provided through July 19, 2022.
Priah Ferguson
Netflix
Born: Oct. 1, 2006
Age: 15 years*
Net worth: $500,000
Bottom Line: Priah Ferguson
AP Photo
Priah Ferguson made her television debut on Atlanta in 2016 and became widely known for her role as Erica Sinclair, Lucas’s younger sister, on Stranger Things. Promoted to series regular in Season 3, Ferguson has continued building her career with additional film and television projects, including a role opposite Marlon Wayans in the horror-comedy Boo! (scheduled for October 2022).
Sadie Sink
Netflix
Born: April 16, 2002
Age: 20
Net worth: $1 million
Bottom Line: Sadie Sink
AP Photo
Sadie Sink emerged as one of Stranger Things’ breakout performers. Her emotionally powerful scenes helped bring renewed attention to Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” which re-entered the charts decades after its original release. Sink’s credits also include roles in American Odyssey, Blue Bloods, Dear Zoe, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Eli, and Chuck, and she has worked as a model for brands such as Givenchy, Chanel, and Kate Spade.
Joseph Quinn
Netflix
Born: May 15, 1993
Age: 29
Net worth: $3 million
Bottom Line: Joseph Quinn
AP Photo
Joseph Quinn won widespread attention for his portrayal of Eddie Munson in Season 4. A UK-born actor, Quinn previously appeared in the BBC series Dickensian and had a guest role on Game of Thrones. His dynamic performance on Stranger Things introduced him to a much wider audience.
Maya Hawke
Netflix
Born: July 8, 1998
Age: 24
Net worth: $3 million
Bottom Line: Maya Hawke
AP Photo
The daughter of actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, Maya Hawke debuted onscreen in the 2017 BBC adaptation of Little Women and joined Stranger Things in Season 3 as Robin Buckley. In addition to acting, Hawke models and records music; her album Moss was announced for late 2022.
Caleb McLaughlin
Netflix
Born: Oct. 13, 2001
Age: 20
Net worth: $3 million
Bottom Line: Caleb McLaughlin
AP Photo
Caleb McLaughlin had small TV roles before Stranger Things, including guest appearances on Blue Bloods and Law & Order: SVU. He has since appeared in films such as Concrete Cowboy and High Flying Bird. Forbes named him to its 30 Under 30 Class of 2021 in entertainment.
Noah Schnapp
Netflix
Born: Oct. 3, 2004
Age: 17
Net worth: $3 million
Bottom Line: Noah Schnapp
AP Photo
Noah Schnapp, a Canadian-American actor, made his film debut in Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies and provided the voice of Charlie Brown in The Peanuts Movie. Those early high-profile projects led to his casting as Will Byers and the recognition that followed.
Finn Wolfhard
Netflix
Born: Dec. 23, 2002
Age: 19
Net worth: $4 million
Bottom Line: Finn Wolfhard
AP Photo
Finn Wolfhard, a Canadian actor and musician, became widely known for playing Mike Wheeler. He later starred as Ritchie Tozier in the film adaptation of Stephen King’s It and returned for It: Chapter Two, and appeared in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Wolfhard has also pursued filmmaking and music projects outside the series.
Gaten Matarazzo
Netflix
Born: Sept. 8, 2002
Age: 19
Net worth: $4 million
Bottom Line: Gaten Matarazzo
AP Photo
Gaten Matarazzo is an experienced stage performer who appeared on Broadway in productions such as Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Les Misérables. His role as Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things further raised his profile; he has since returned to Broadway for lead roles such as Dear Evan Hansen.
Natalia Dyer
Netflix
Born: Jan. 13, 1995
Age: 27
Net worth: $4 million
Bottom Line: Natalia Dyer
AP Photo
Natalia Dyer began acting in family and indie films, including Hannah Montana: The Movie and I Believe in Unicorns, before gaining wider recognition as Nancy Wheeler on Stranger Things. The series also brought her into the public eye for her off-screen relationship with co-star Charlie Heaton.
Charlie Heaton
Netflix
Born: Feb. 6, 1994
Age: 28
Net worth: $4 million
Bottom Line: Charlie Heaton
AP Photo
British actor and musician Charlie Heaton appeared in UK series such as DCI Banks and Vera before his role as Jonathan Byers. He has also been involved in music and modeling, including a campaign for Gucci.
Joe Keery
Netflix
Born: April 24, 1992
Age: 30
Net worth: $4 million
Bottom Line: Joe Keery
AP Photo
Joe Keery originally expected to appear for only one season but evolved into a key character as Steve Harrington. In addition to acting, Keery has a music career—formerly as a guitarist in the band Post Animal and now releasing solo material under the name Djo—and he was cast opposite Liam Neeson in the sci-fi action film Cold Storage (2022).
David Harbour
Netflix
Born: April 10, 1975
Age: 47
Net worth: $6 million
Bottom Line: David Harbour
AP Photo
David Harbour had a long career as a character actor before becoming Chief Jim Hopper. He made early appearances on shows like Law & Order and moved into films including Quantum of Solace and Revolutionary Road. For Season 4 of Stranger Things, Harbour underwent a significant physical transformation, losing weight for an arc set in a Soviet gulag; he later regained some weight for other film projects.
Millie Bobby Brown
Netflix
Born: Feb. 29, 2004
Age: 18
Net worth: $10 million
Bottom Line: Millie Bobby Brown
AP Photo
Millie Bobby Brown is widely regarded as Stranger Things’ first breakout star. She gained international recognition as Eleven, a telekinetic young woman, and her rising salary reflected that early success. Brown has expanded into films such as Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Godzilla vs. Kong, and she stars in and produces the Enola Holmes adaptations. She also founded the Florence by Mills skincare and makeup brand and has collaborated with several fashion and technology companies.
Matthew Modine
Netflix
Born: March 22, 1959
Age: 63
Net worth: $10 million
Bottom Line: Matthew Modine
AP Photo
Matthew Modine’s career spans decades and nearly a hundred films, from Vision Quest and Birdy to Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. In Stranger Things he plays the unsettling Dr. Martin Brenner, a role that Modine has described as emotionally challenging.
Winona Ryder
Netflix
Born: Oct. 29, 1971
Age: 50
Net worth: $18 million
Bottom Line: Winona Ryder
AP Photo
Winona Ryder rose to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s with films such as Beetlejuice, Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, and Reality Bites. As Joyce Byers on Stranger Things, Ryder brings decades of dramatic experience to the ensemble while continuing to appear in film and television projects.
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