TULSA, Okla. — Former child actor Blake Garrett, best known for his role as “Plug” in the beloved 2006 family comedy How to Eat Fried Worms, has died. He was 33.
Garrett passed away on Sunday, February 8, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His mother, Carol Garrett, confirmed the news to multiple outlets, stating that the family is currently awaiting official autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death.
While the official cause remains pending, his sudden passing follows a recent medical emergency. According to his mother, Garrett had been rushed to a local emergency room just one week prior to his death after suffering from excruciating pain. Doctors subsequently diagnosed him with shingles, a viral infection known to cause severe nerve pain and blistering.
In a heartbreaking statement, Carol Garrett expressed fear that her son’s death may have been an accidental result of trying to manage this condition.
“I fear he may have self-medicated due to pain from the viral infection and believe his death may have been a tragic accident,” she shared.
A Promising Start in Hollywood
Born Nolan Blake Garrett on September 14, 1992, in Austin, Texas, Garrett displayed a natural talent for performance at a young age. He began his career on the stage, lighting up local theater productions in Texas, including roles in Aladdin and His Magical Lamp, The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Grease, and Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Tribute.
His talent quickly took him beyond local stages. At just 10 years old, he secured a spot on Barney’s Colorful World International Tour, performing as the character “Mike” and traveling nationally—a significant milestone for such a young performer.
However, it was his breakout role in 2006 that introduced him to a wider audience. In How to Eat Fried Worms, the film adaptation of Thomas Rockwell’s classic children’s book, Garrett played Plug, the loyal henchman to the film’s antagonist. The movie became a cult favorite for the mid-2000s generation, and Garrett’s performance was recognized by the industry; he and his castmates shared the Young Artist Award for “Best Young Ensemble in a Feature Film” in 2007.
Though he stepped away from major screen roles following his childhood success, appearing briefly in a pilot for the series Inconceivable, he remained a fond memory for fans of the genre.
Turning His Life Around
In recent years, Garrett had been living quietly in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was focused on personal growth and health.
According to his family, Garrett had battled personal struggles in early adulthood but had successfully turned a corner. His mother noted with pride that he had been sober for the last three years, a period she described as him “living a really good life.”
“He had truly turned things around,” Carol Garrett said, emphasizing that he was moving forward in a positive direction before his sudden illness.
He is survived by his mother, Carol, and his younger brother, with whom he lived in Tulsa.
