While being one of the most recognized stars in Hollywood has a lot of advantages, fame also brings some disadvantages with it. Actors are the faces of films and are always in the public eye. Lack of privacy and being under constant surveillance can take a toll on their mental health especially if they are child actors.
Strangers Things star Finn Wolfhard revealed that he too faced such struggles and was dealing with panic attacks after gaining international stardom for his role in the Netflix series. However, he credits his co-stars as well as Batman v Superman actor Jesse Eisenberg for helping him get through them.
Finn Woflhard In Stranger Things
While actor Finn Wolfhard has graduated to starring in films, directing music videos, and has even started a band now, he first gained recognition for playing Mike Wheeler in Netflix’s Stranger Things. The show propelled the cast of child actors Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Noah Schnapp, and Caleb McLaughlin to international stardom. It is one of the most successful Netflix original series.
Wolfhard’s performance as Mike Wheeler, the ‘leader’ of his group of misfit kids was lauded by critics and audiences. His chemistry with Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven was one of the highlights of the show. He portrayed the character in four seasons of the show and will return for the fifth and final season.
His performance in the fantasy horror series secured him a role in the cinematic adaptation of Stephen King’s It. He played the role of Richie, a loud-mouthed kid who is part of the ‘Loser’s Club’. He also reprised the role in flashback portions of the sequel, It: Chapter 2, where his older version was portrayed by Bill Hader. The actor has since starred in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, When You Finish Saving The World, and Pinocchio and is all set to make his directorial debut with Hell of a Summer.
Finn Wolfhard’s Struggles With Stardom
Finn Wofhard has been in the public eye since he was fourteen years old when he was cast in Stranger Things in 2016. The actor has mentioned that his sudden rise to stardom during his formative years has taken an emotional toll on him.
In an interview with GQ, he spoke about a moment during filming when he felt particularly overwhelmed and went through a panic attack. He got the support he needed from co-stars Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin,
“Gaten and Caleb, we’re for life. Bonded for life. They were like, ‘Dude, we’re the only people that know what it’s really like.’”
Wolfhard also mentioned that his older acquaintances in the film industry helped him navigate the overwhelming moments. Stranger Things co-star Winona Ryder, who was a teen star in the 1990s and was in the public eye for her friendships with known personalities such as Johnny Depp, Dave Grohl, and Kurt Cobain, helped Wolfhard with his issues.
“She [Winona Ryder] dated Dave Grohl and MCA from Beastie Boys and all these people. I could ask her what it was like knowing Kurt Cobain, and she tells me everything. It’s insane”
His When You Finish Saving The World director Jesse Eisenberg also supported him through his issues.
“[Eisenberg] was like, ‘” Have you met me? I’m the most nervous guy in the entire world.”
While Hollywood has ample stories of child actors having terrible childhoods growing up due to their fame, ultimately leading to drug and substance abuse issues, it is nice to know that Finn Wolfhard has the support system necessary for him to stay off that path.
Source: GQ
