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

Modine raved about his 'Stranger Things' costar Millie Bobby Brown being "so focused, so determined, so intelligent"

Matthew Modine attends the "Back To Black" New York Premiere; Millie Bobby Brown attends the Damsel World Premiere
From left: Matthew Modine attends the "Back To Black" New York Premiere; Millie Bobby Brown attends the Damsel World Premiere. Photo:

Manny Carabel/Getty Images; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Matthew Modine knows he has a lifelong bond with Stranger Things costar Millie Bobby Brown.

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 a Stranger Things Epic 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
(L to R) Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Matthew Modine as Dr. Martin Brenner in STRANGER THINGS. Netflix

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 Bongiovi shared a photo on Instagram of 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 the May ceremony.

Matthew Modine Kneeling Next to Millie Bobby Brown and Holding Her Hand
Actors Millie Bobby Brown (L) and Matthew Modine at Comic-Con International 2017 Netflix's "Stranger Things" panel at San Diego Convention Center on July 22, 2017 in San Diego, California.

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 with Fox 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 of Stranger Things is streaming on Netflix

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