Matthew Modine on His 'Friendship' with 'Intelligent'Stranger ThingsCostar Millie Bobby Brown

Mar. 15, 2025

Matthew Modine attends the “Back To Black” New York Premiere; Millie Bobby Brown attends the Damsel World Premiere

Manny Carabel/Getty Images; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

The 65-year-old actor — who plays Dr. Martin Brenner (AKA ‘Papa’) on the Netflix hit— opened up about his memories of working on the hit Netflix series during aStranger ThingsEpic Cons panel on Oct. 19 in Jackson, Georgia.

“It begins and ends with Millie,” he told the audience. “I met her when she was eleven years old on the set. I fell in love with that innocent 11-year-old child.”

STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Matthew Modine as Dr. Martin Brenner in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

He shared that Brown, 20, is “so focused, so determined, so intelligent,” adding, “It is a friendship I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Earlier this month,Jake Bongiovishared a photo onInstagramof Modine officiating his wedding to Brown.

The snapshot featured Modine sporting a black jacket over a white shirt and black pants for the big day. Standing tall under the floral wedding arch, Modine smiled as Bongiovi, 22, read aloud his vows to his bride during theMay ceremony.

Matthew Modine Kneeling Next to Millie Bobby Brown and Holding Her Hand

Albert L. Ortega / Getty Images

“Amazing. Who’s the old guy with a beard?? 🤪❤️🍀,” Modine joked in Bongiovi’s comment section afterward.

Ahead of the nuptials, Modine reflected on his marriage to wife Caridad Rivera and his hopes for Brown and Bongiovi.

“I’ve been married for four decades,” he shared during an interview withFox News. “And, not only is my wife my best friend, she’s my greatest confidant and, teacher and, yeah, I mean, she’s just about everything to me. And I think it’s extraordinary. It’s a miracle when we find someone, to be able to share our lives with. I don’t stand in judgment of marriages that don’t work out. I mean, it’s, they’re complicated. And some people grow together and some people grow apart. For however long it lasts, it’s a beautiful thing.”

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“I’ve had a great marriage, and so I wish that for Millie and Jake,” he added.

Seasons 1-4 ofStranger Thingsis streaming on Netflix

source: people.com