Former Child Actor in 'How To Eat Fried Worms' Dies at 33

Blake Garrett, known for his role as Plug, passed away in Oklahoma.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Blake Garrett, a former child actor best known for his role as Plug in the 2006 family comedy film "How To Eat Fried Worms", has died at the age of 33. His mother, Carol Garrett, told TMZ that Garrett died on Sunday, February 8th, and the family is awaiting autopsy results to determine the official cause of death. She believes his death may have been a tragic accident related to Garrett self-medicating due to pain from a recent shingles diagnosis.

Why it matters

Garrett's death at a young age is tragic, and his role in the popular children's film "How To Eat Fried Worms" made him a recognizable figure from that era of family-friendly entertainment. His passing is sure to be mourned by fans of the film and those who followed his early acting career.

The details

Born in 1992 in Austin, Texas, Garrett began acting at age 8, earning lead roles in local productions of plays like "Aladdin and his Magical Lamp" and "Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Tribute". He shared a Young Artist Award in 2007 for Best Young Ensemble in a Feature Film for "How To Eat Fried Worms". Garrett also toured with the Barney live show from 2003-2004, playing the role of Mike.

  • Garrett died on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
  • Garrett went to the emergency room the week prior after experiencing intense pain and was diagnosed with shingles.

The players

Blake Garrett

A former child actor known for his role as Plug in the 2006 film "How To Eat Fried Worms".

Carol Garrett

Garrett's mother, who told TMZ that she believes her son's death may have been a tragic accident related to him self-medicating due to pain from a recent shingles diagnosis.

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What they’re saying

“Blake went to the emergency room last week after experiencing intense pain and was later diagnosed with shingles. She told the publication she fears he may have self-medicated due to pain from the viral infection and believes his death may have been a tragic accident.”

— Carol Garrett, Garrett's mother (TMZ)

The takeaway

The tragic and untimely death of former child actor Blake Garrett at just 33 years old serves as a somber reminder of the challenges and risks that can come with early fame and success, especially when dealing with unexpected health issues. Garrett's legacy will live on through his memorable performance in the beloved family film "How To Eat Fried Worms".