Blake Garrett, the former child actor whose memorable turn as Plug in the 2006 family comedy How to Eat Fried Worms delighted a generation of young moviegoers, has died at the age of 33 in Oklahoma. His passing on Sunday, February 8, 2026, was confirmed by his mother, Carol Garrett, who spoke with several media outlets, including TMZ and Deadline. The family is still awaiting autopsy results to determine the official cause of death, but his final days were marked by a sudden and severe medical crisis that has left loved ones searching for answers.
Garrett’s mother recounted to TMZ that her son had been rushed to a Tulsa emergency room just a week prior to his death, after suffering from intense, excruciating pain. Doctors diagnosed him with shingles, a viral infection notorious for causing agonizing nerve pain and a blistering rash. While shingles is more commonly associated with older adults, it can strike at any age, particularly among those who had chickenpox as children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in three people will develop shingles at some point in their lives, though the risk is expected to decline with the widespread adoption of the chickenpox vaccine.
Carol Garrett expressed her deep concern that the pain from the infection may have driven Blake to self-medicate in an effort to cope. She told TMZ, “I fear he may have self-medicated due to pain from the viral infection and believe his death may have been a tragic accident.” The family is now enduring an agonizing wait for the medical examiner’s report, hoping for clarity in the midst of their grief.
Garrett’s death has left fans and former colleagues in shock, especially those who remember his breakout role in How to Eat Fried Worms. The film, directed by Bob Dolman and based on Thomas Rockwell’s beloved 1973 children’s novel, followed a group of kids as they dared each other to eat worms, with Garrett’s character Plug serving as the bully’s henchman. The movie starred Luke Benward as Billy, with a supporting cast that included Hallie Eisenberg, Adam Hicks, James Rebhorn, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and Tom Cavanagh. While the film received mixed reviews, it struck a chord with young audiences, and the cast was honored with the Young Artist Award for Best Young Ensemble in a Feature Film in 2007.
Reflecting on his time on set, Garrett once told The Oklahoman that despite the movie’s focus on childhood rivalry, “actors got on with each other while on set.” He also shared a charming anecdote about how children were fascinated by his hair color, recalling, “Some of them had never seen my hair color.”
Garrett’s journey into the world of performance began long before his Hollywood debut. Born Nolan Blake Garrett on September 14, 1992, in Austin, Texas, he started acting at just eight years old, landing lead roles in local stage productions such as Aladdin and His Magical Lamp and Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Tribute. His early theater work also included performances in The Wizard of Oz, Annie, and Grease. These formative experiences paved the way for his big break at age 10, when he joined the traveling cast of Barney’s Colorful World International Tour, playing the role of Mike. The tour took him across the country, performing in arenas and even starring in a video adaptation of the show that was released in 2004.
Despite a promising start, Garrett’s acting career appears to have been relatively brief. After his high-profile appearance in How to Eat Fried Worms, he did not pursue additional roles in film or television. According to Daily Mail, he did not have any acting credits following the 2006 film, suggesting that he chose to step away from the industry at a young age.
In recent years, Garrett had been living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and by all accounts, he had been doing well. Carol Garrett told TMZ that her son had “truly turned things around after becoming sober,” and that he had been leading a good life over the past three years. She noted that Blake had reportedly been sober during that period, a fact echoed by Daily Mail, which reported, “He had reportedly gotten sober in the previous three years.”
The suddenness of Garrett’s death, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding its cause, has cast a pall over those who knew him. His mother’s suspicion that self-medication might have played a role points to the broader challenges faced by individuals coping with chronic pain and illness. As Carol Garrett waits for answers, she is left to remember her son as a talented performer who brought joy to audiences in his youth, and as a man who had worked hard to overcome personal struggles in adulthood.
Garrett’s story is a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of life, and the unique pressures often faced by former child stars. While many remember him for his mischievous on-screen persona, those close to him recall a young man who was earnest, hardworking, and beloved by his peers. His early achievements—including the Young Artist Award and his starring roles in local theater—stand as a testament to his talent and dedication.
As the entertainment world mourns the loss of another member of its extended family, tributes have begun to pour in from fans and colleagues alike. Garrett’s brief but bright career, his struggles and triumphs, and the love of his family all combine to paint a picture of a life that, while cut tragically short, left a lasting impression on those who knew him and those who watched him on screen.
The Garrett family has asked for privacy as they navigate this difficult time and await further information from the medical examiner. For now, Blake Garrett is remembered not only for the laughter and heart he brought to his roles, but for the resilience he showed in his personal life—a legacy as meaningful as any Hollywood accolade.