""It's been really insane," Connelly admits, speaking on a Friday afternoon after a wild week of class. On his high-school's elective night, rather than focus on his studies, Connelly got swarmed by fans who love his foulmouthed character: "I think it's cool that people want to come up and take selfies with me. All my friends are quoting my lines, and it's really funny just hearing them say these horrible things in the hallways.""
"Until just a few weeks ago, the Chicago-based eighth-grader spent his free time playing football, which he hopes to keep doing, and his biggest credit was a local commercial for Feldco Windows, Siding & Doors. But his life is forever changed now, even though Delightful Derek was never the original plan. When first introduced, Derek is far from delightful. Some would even say he's "Dipshit Derek."Among his less admirable actions are terrorizing classmate Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher), proudly declaring that his room smells because of his farts, and suggesting that "Mom can suck a fat one" rather than report for dinner."
Jake Connelly, a 13-year-old Chicago-based eighth-grader, became a fan favorite for portraying Derek in the final season of Stranger Things. Connelly balances everyday teenage life, like sledding and playing football, with unexpected fame after early episodes premiered. Fans swarmed him at school and quoted his character's foulmouthed lines. Derek was originally written as a stereotypical bully, nicknamed "Dipshit Derek," who terrorizes classmates and makes crude remarks. The creators shifted the character toward charm and leadership after responding to Connelly's real-life charisma at the cast table read. Derek ultimately leads a child resistance to free peers from Vecna's influence.
Read at Vulture
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