Former 'How to Eat Fried Worms' child star Blake Garrett dies at 33

The actor's mother says he died from unknown causes after recently being treated for shingles.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Blake Garrett, who played Pug in the 2006 children's comedy film "How to Eat Fried Worms," has died at the age of 33. Garrett's mother, Carol Garrett, confirmed his death to TMZ, stating that he passed away on Sunday, February 8th, from unknown causes. She said the family is awaiting autopsy results to determine the official cause of death, but suggested the severe pain he experienced from a recent shingles infection could be connected.

Why it matters

Garrett was a former child actor who had found success in the 2006 film adaptation of the controversial children's book "How to Eat Fried Worms." His death at a relatively young age is tragic, and raises questions about the challenges and pressures that child actors can face, as well as the importance of mental health and addiction support for former child stars.

The details

Born in Austin, Texas, Garrett played the role of Pug in the 2006 film "How to Eat Fried Worms," which was loosely based on the 1973 children's book of the same name. The film also starred Luke Benward, Tom Cavanagh, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and James Rebhorn. Prior to his film role, Garrett had appeared in local productions of various plays and musicals. After "How to Eat Fried Worms," he went on to star in a pilot episode of the TV series "Inconceivable." Garrett's mother said he had recently gotten sober and was "back on the right track" before his unexpected death.

  • Garrett died on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
  • He had recently been treated at an Oklahoma emergency room for severe pain related to a shingles infection.

The players

Blake Garrett

A former child actor who played the role of Pug in the 2006 film "How to Eat Fried Worms." He died at the age of 33 from unknown causes.

Carol Garrett

Blake Garrett's mother, who confirmed his death to TMZ and suggested the severe pain from a recent shingles infection could be connected to his passing.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

Garrett's tragic death at a young age highlights the challenges and pressures that former child actors can face, underscoring the importance of providing mental health and addiction support to help them successfully transition into adulthood.