The “Stranger Things” star reveals: His great-grandfather emigrated from Germany. His last name also has history.
The fifth and final season of the hit series “Stranger Things” started on Netflix on November 27th. The series is known for absurdities, hyperrealism and sudden surprises – one of the main actors has now provided a historical surprise: Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler again this season, reveals background information about his past that no one expected.
“Stranger Things” star with German roots
In an interview with the “Bild” newspaper, the 22-year-old revealed that he actually has German roots. “My great-grandfather came to Canada in the late 1930s and started a family there,” says the actor. His last name also comes from these origins: “Wolfhard is a German name.” He grew up in Canada, born in the province of British Columbia. Despite his European roots, he doesn’t speak German. “In Canada you don’t learn this automatically,” he explained. For Wolfhard, his name creates a special connection to his role: “My middle name is Michael, and on ‘Stranger Things’ I play Mike,” he reports.
Musical homage to the grandfather
The story behind his last name is not the only family connection that shapes the actor. In addition to his acting career, Wolfhard is also active as a musician. His debut album HAPPY BIRTHDAY was released on June 6, 2025. He dedicated the song “Objection!”, which he released in May, to his grandfather. He also expressed his concerns before the song’s release to “Bild”: “When I released the song, I was nervous. I didn’t know if it would confuse people. But it was very well received.” Before his solo project, Wolfhard was a member of the band Calpurnia, which disbanded in 2019 after two years of existence.
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“Stranger Things” is the most expensive Netflix series of all time. The production costs were set at $480 million, from which the cast of the series also earns well. Wolfhard has been in front of the camera for the production since 2016. He also took on other major roles: He played Richie Tozier in the “It” film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. The “Stranger Things” star received the Saturn Award for Best Young Actor in 2022 for his acting performance in “Ghostbusters: Legacy”.