This 'Stranger Things' star revealed he has panic attacks on set

Looking at Finn Wolfhard's (2002) filmography is daunting. The young actor debuted at just 10 years old, and at 11, he had already participated in famous TV shows like 'The 100' and 'Supernatural'.

However, few could have expected the tremendous popularity that his next show would bring to him. At just 14 years old, Finn Wolfhard became a global star thanks to his role in 'Stranger Things'. It was right around the time when the actor was transitioning from kid to teenager…

As he has confessed in a candid interview for GQ magazine, that transition, given his new status as a star, has been really difficult. It caused him panic attacks, anxiety, and other issues.

The actor began to have recurring panic attacks when he was 15-16 years old when the whole world already knew him for his role as Mike Wheeler. Before then, everything had seemed to be just fine.

Image: 'Stranger Things' / Netflix

When the series started in 2016, "I was 13 years old, and everything felt completely fine. I did not talk about anything, because I just was having this crazy whirlwind career, so there was no time, or at least we didn't feel there was at the time… But in reality, things were happening in my brain and anxieties were forming."

Image: 'Stranger Things' / Netflix

These things in his brain, as Wolfhard explained to GQ magazine, were anxieties that "I didn't realize that I had to bury because of how I had to feel at work."

Thankfully, his friends in the show and in real life gave him the help he needed to improve his situation. The actor recalls one time on the 'Stranger Things' set when, after filming a scene with Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin, the two actors sat down in silence and hugged him.

Image: 'Stranger Things' / Netflix

These panic attacks have continued with time. On the set of 'When You Finnish Saving the World' (the movie from January 2023, written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg), Wolfhard had another panic attack.

"I was so uptight and nervous about it, because I just was like, 'This is the first movie that I'm doing as an adult'." But he was not alone. Director Jesse Eisenberg shared some advice on how to handle the situation. He, too, had started working as an actor in his teenage years.

Jesse Eisenberg remembered the words that the director Greg Mottola had said to him on the set of 'Adventureland' (2009) when Eisenberg had a panic attack too.

"You're doing a job that's very emotionally exposing and very publicly horrible. I would be surprised if you didn't have that, and please never worry. This is a two-dimensional medium and we're not seeing what's inside your head." Without a doubt, Eisenberg's (and Mottola's) advice was excellent for any young actor.

Image: 'Stranger Things' / Netflix

The thing is that people sometimes forget that these actors and actresses, besides being famous and millionaires, are still people figuring out their lives. They have lost their privacy and the possibility to enjoy a 'normal life'.

A normal life is exactly what Finn Wolfhard, who has 4 million dollars according to Celebrity Net Worth, is trying to build.

For starters, the actor has rented a flat in Los Angeles with a bunch of friends and was able to finish high school in Vancouver (Canada). Having a normal school journey was simply out of the question for someone working in a production like 'Stranger Things'.

Finn Wolfhard's goal is simple: To keep working as an actor but have privacy in his day-to-day life. The actor told W magazine that he's "not concerned with staying relevant at all, ever."

The plan is not easy. Whilst talking to the GQ magazine reporter, the actor was interrupted by a man who wanted to take a picture with him. He told Finn that his daughter "loved" the actor.

The same happens on social media, where the actor has more than 25 million followers. He receives thousands of daily notifications and messages.

Image: @finnwolfhardofficial / Instagram

It seems that Wolfhard is surrounded by amazing people that are taking care of him and giving him all the advice he needs. We hope that, sooner rather than later, he can leave behind those panic attacks and anxiety problems.