'Stranger Things' star Charlie Heaton weighs in on character's unique run

Charlie Heaton played the character of Jonathan Byers in 'Netflix' 'Stranger Things'

By Syeda Zahra
|
January 23, 2026
Photo:'Stranger Things' star Charlie Heaton weighs in on character's unique run

Charlie Heaton has reflected on the iconic run of his character Jonathan Byers from Stranger Things.

The actor recently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. During this show, Heaton was asked why his character often runs sideways.

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Fallon frankly asked the actor, “Another thing that fans are loving, by the way, is Jonathan’s run. Did you hear about this?”

Laughing, Heaton replied, “How could I not hear about this?”

Fallon then pressed further, asking whether the unusual run was intentional. After a brief pause, Heaton began, “I love… you know…” before quickly correcting himself and admitting, “Yes. That was a total character choice.”

The moment became even more entertaining when Fallon played two clips from Stranger Things showing Jonathan sprinting forward with his body turned sideways.

When Fallon tried to mimic the run himself, Heaton jumped in, and offered, “I’ll show you."

"Where’s the camera? This is how I run,” he said.

Heaton then hilariously recreated Jonathan's signature run on stage, sending the audience into fits of laughter.

“It’s a great character choice,” Fallon joked in response.

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