Resurfaced Clip of Young Finn Wolfhard Sparks Backlash Over Inappropriate Comic-Con Remarks
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A resurfaced video from a 2017 San Diego Comic-Con panel featuring a young Finn Wolfhard, then 14, has ignited fresh criticism over the handling of child actors in the entertainment industry. The clip captures the moment when the Stranger Things star was introduced by moderator Patton Oswalt with a remark calling Wolfhard “an actor born with the greatest porn name ever,” an inappropriate comment that drew immediate discomfort from the young actor and his co-stars.
Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler on the popular Netflix series Stranger Things, responded with awkward humor, saying, “Hey man, thanks! Really puts a great thing on my future.” However, the moderator persisted with the inappropriate tone, forcing Wolfhard to intervene and tell Oswalt to “stop.” Meanwhile, co-stars Joe Keery and David Harbour exchanged warning glances with the host and subtly encouraged Wolfhard to ignore the remarks.
The incident, which occurred when the Stranger Things cast members were all in their early teens, has resurfaced amid ongoing conversations about the pressures and vulnerabilities faced by child stars. The young cast, including Millie Bobby Brown, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, and Noah Schnapp, were thrust into global fame at a tender age, raising questions about the safeguards in place during such public appearances.
Patton Oswalt publicly apologized for his comments shortly after the event, tweeting in 2017, “I thought I was being funny but was actually a graceless asshole. I’ve since apologized and, I hope, learned.” Despite this, the clip’s recent circulation online has sparked renewed outrage. Social media users expressed disbelief and concern over the normalization of sexualized remarks directed at a minor. One commenter wrote, “It’s honestly crazy how adults treated child stars just less than a decade ago, and even celebrities with literal children in general. How did adults get away with this?” Another stated, “He was so oversexualized, it actually makes me sick. He was a child. It’s no wonder that he’s very private now and isn’t as interactive with fans anymore. The amount of adult women I saw thirsting over a child had me heated.”
Industry observers and fans alike praised Keery and Harbour for their protective reactions during the panel. “Genuinely, Joe and David immediately being like ‘hey! Forget that guy! Ignore Patton Oswalt, he’s being really weird about you!’ actually makes me really happy,” a fan tweeted. “Thank you to Joe and David for being normal about LITERAL CHILDREN.”
This incident is part of a broader dialogue on the mental health and well-being of child performers. The American Civil Liberties Union and other advocacy groups have long highlighted the need for stronger protections and support systems for young actors navigating fame. Additionally, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has guidelines emphasizing safe and respectful working environments, which many argue should extend more explicitly to entertainment settings involving minors.
Wolfhard himself has spoken candidly about the challenges of early fame, admitting in previous interviews that he regrets not starting therapy sooner after Stranger Things catapulted him into the spotlight. The resurfaced clip underscores the importance of ongoing conversations about safeguarding child actors from exploitation and inappropriate treatment.
As the final season of Stranger Things continues to draw attention, the industry and fans are reminded of the human stories behind the characters. The episode serves as a sobering reflection on how far the entertainment world must go to ensure that young talent is respected and protected.
For more information on child actor protections and mental health resources, visit the Children’s Bureau and the National Institute of Mental Health.
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