Opening up about how he values gestures and non-material things over presents, Matthew Modine has admitted he did not buy a wedding gift for his ‘Stranger Things’ co-star Millie Bobby Brown and her husband Jake Bongiovi.
Matthew Modine did not buy a wedding gift for his ‘Stranger Things’ co-star Millie Bobby Brown and her husband Jake Bongiovi.
The 65-year-old ‘Full Metal Jacket’ actor instead gave the actress, 21, what he considered a more meaningful gift – officiating her wedding to Jake, 22, when the couple married in a lavish ceremony in Italy in October 2024, four months after exchanging vows in a private, low-key ceremony.
Matthew told Page Six about his gift policy: “She doesn’t need anything.”
He added he chose not to give a present because he believes material possessions hold little value.
He said: “Things give you no gratification.”
And referencing the US Constitution’s phrase “the pursuit of happiness,” he added: “Happiness isn’t about accumulating presents but about trying to be kind and being the best citizen you can be.”
Presiding over Millie’s marriage was a special experience for Matthew, who was later overheard sharing details with celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa.
A source told Page Six: “He let him know he’d just gotten back from Italy, and how much fun he had doing it. He seemed really proud, and into it.”
Matthew, who played Dr Martin Brenner – nicknamed ‘Papa’ – on ‘Stranger Things’, has previously spoken about his close relationship with Millie.
He told The Times: “There’s ups and downs in a career. I’ve had conversations with Millie and the others.
“I try to help them understand they are on a rollercoaster. And the higher you go in your career, the more that drop will feel really, really frightening.”
He also described his bond with the actress as “a friendship I will carry with me for the rest of my life” in a People interview in 2024.
Outside of ‘Stranger Things’, Matthew has been working on new projects, including his role as a corrupt senator in ‘Zero Day’.
The Netflix political thriller also stars Robert De Niro, Joan Allen, Jesse Plemons, Connie Britton and Lizzy Caplan.
Matthew Modine reveals why he didn’t buy wedding gift for ‘Stranger Things’ co-star Millie Bobby Brown
