Finn Wolfhard's “Stranger Things” Costars Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo Crash His “SNL” Opening Monologue
- - Finn Wolfhard's “Stranger Things” Costars Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo Crash His “SNL” Opening Monologue
Escher WalcottJanuary 18, 2026 at 4:28 AM
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Saturday Night Live/YouTube
Gaten Matarazzo, Finn Wolfhard and Caleb McLaughlin -
Finn Wolfhard hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time on Saturday, Jan. 17
During his opening monologue, he was joined by Stranger Things costars Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo
The trio appeared in the hit Netflix show from July 2016 until its end on Dec. 31, 2025
Live from Studio 8H — it's Finn Wolfhard!
The actor, 23, made his Saturday Night Live hosting debut on Jan. 17, joined by A$AP Rocky as musical guest.
During his opening monologue, Wolfhard was unexpectedly interrupted by his Stranger Things costars Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo who appeared on stage to discuss their transition from child stars to adults.
The first-time host had gushed about being “proud” to be a man at the start of his monologue, before being presented with a glass of alcohol by SNL star Marcello Hernández — which he then spat out for being "too spicy."
He continued, “So yeah, meet the new me. The man me. Because I’m not a kid anymore—,” Wolfhard was then interrupted by McLaughlin, 24, and Matarazzo, 23, as they crashed the stage.
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“And neither are we!” McLaughlin said as the trio hugged. “We’re not child stars, we’re former child stars,” he continued.
“And anytime you read ‘Former Child Star’ in a headline, it can only mean good things,” joked Matarazzo.
“It’s true,” said Wolfhard. “So thanks to everyone who watched us grow up on the show.”
“And then went online and commented about our changing faces and bodies,” joked McLaughlin.
Wolfhard took a moment to honor his former costars, saying, “I just wanted to say, even though we are now men, you'll always be my boys,” while pulling McLaughlin and Matarazzo in for another hug.
Courtesy of Netflix
Gaten Matarazzo, Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin and Noah Schnapp on 'Stranger Things'
The trio then made a toast with Matarazzo saying to Wolfhard, “To you hosting SNL!”
“Yes and to us — child stars … who are now ready to do adult films,” joked Wolfhard as they raised their glasses and took a sip.
The hit series Stranger Things aired its first season on Netflix in 2016, when Wolfhard and his costars were in their early teens. The fifth and final season concluded on Dec. 31.
As Wolfhard made his hosting debut on SNL, A$AP Rocky also performed for the first time on the show to promote his new album, Don't Be Dumb.
SNL airs weekends on NBC.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
