Blake Garrett, Child Actor in 'How to Eat Fried Worms,' Dies at 33

The former child star passed away in Oklahoma after being diagnosed with shingles.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Blake Garrett, best known for his role as Plug in the 2006 film "How to Eat Fried Worms," has died at the age of 33. His mother, Carol Garrett, told TMZ that Blake went to the emergency room last week in Oklahoma after experiencing intense pain and was later diagnosed with shingles. She believes his death may have been a tragic accident related to self-medication to cope with the viral infection's pain.

Why it matters

Blake Garrett's death at a young age is a tragic loss for the entertainment industry, as he had shown great promise as a child actor. His role in "How to Eat Fried Worms" earned him a Young Artist Award, and his family and friends are mourning the loss of a talented performer who had turned his life around in recent years.

The details

Blake Garrett was born in Austin, Texas, and had a successful career as a child actor, landing lead roles in local productions like "Aladdin and His Magical Lamp" and "Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Tribute." At just 10 years old, he toured with the arena show "Barney's Colorful World International Tour." His biggest break came in 2006 when he played Plug in "How to Eat Fried Worms," a role that earned him a Young Artist Award for Best Young Ensemble Cast.

  • Blake Garrett passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2026.
  • Last week, Blake went to the emergency room in Oklahoma after experiencing intense pain and was later diagnosed with shingles.

The players

Blake Garrett

A former child actor best known for his role as Plug in the 2006 film "How to Eat Fried Worms," which earned him a Young Artist Award.

Carol Garrett

Blake Garrett's mother, who told TMZ that her son passed away and that she believes his death may have been a tragic accident related to self-medication to cope with the pain from a shingles diagnosis.

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What they’re saying

“Blake had been living a really good life over the past three years in Tulsa, Oklahoma and had truly turned things around after becoming sober.”

— Carol Garrett, Blake Garrett's mother (TMZ)

The takeaway

The tragic death of Blake Garrett, a promising young actor who had overcome personal challenges in recent years, serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of mental health support for those in the entertainment industry, especially child stars who face unique pressures and challenges as they transition to adulthood.