Blake Garrett, a former child actor best known for playing Plug in the 2006 family comedy “How to Eat Fried Worms,” has died in Oklahoma at age 33, according to his mother, who said the family is awaiting autopsy results to determine an official cause of death.
Garrett’s death has prompted a wave of tributes from fans who remember the mid-2000s movie and from people who knew him through theater and touring productions. His mother, Carol Garrett, said he died Sun., Feb. 8, after seeking medical help last week for severe pain and later being diagnosed with shingles. Officials have not released a cause of death, and his family said they are waiting for findings from the medical examiner.
Garrett was living in Tulsa in recent years, his mother said, and had been focused on rebuilding his life. She said he had been sober and “turned things around,” and that his death came as a shock to relatives who believed he had been doing well. She said he went to an emergency room after pain became intense, then was diagnosed with shingles. She said she did not know what caused his death and emphasized that any explanation will come only after the autopsy is completed.
Garrett’s acting work was concentrated in childhood, but it left a lasting imprint on the generation that grew up watching family films on DVD and cable. In “How to Eat Fried Worms,” based on Thomas Rockwell’s children’s book, the story follows a boy trying to fit in at a new school who makes a risky bet that he can eat 10 worms. Garrett played Plug, one of the bully’s sidekicks, in a cast that included Luke Benward, Adam Hicks and Hallie Eisenberg. The young cast later received a Young Artist Award for Best Young Ensemble in a Feature Film, recognizing the group’s performances rather than a single standout role.
Those who worked with Garrett early on described him as comfortable on stage and eager to perform. He grew up in Austin, Texas, and appeared in local theater before landing film work, according to accounts from family and reports from the time. In youth and community productions, he performed in shows that included “Aladdin and His Magical Lamp,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Annie” and “Grease.” The steady schedule helped him build confidence and a resume that opened doors beyond local stages.
At age 10, Garrett joined “Barney’s Colorful World International Tour,” an arena show that traveled widely and introduced him to long days, quick turnarounds and the unusual rhythm of touring as a child performer. In later reflections shared in interviews from the period, he talked about meeting crowds of children night after night and learning how to stay focused under bright lights and noise. He also recalled that his very light hair drew attention in public, and he described children on tour reaching out to touch it, a small detail that he remembered as both funny and strange.
For Garrett, “How to Eat Fried Worms” became the role most closely tied to his name. The film’s plot, built around dares and school hierarchies, was part of a run of mid-2000s family movies that blended slapstick humor with lessons about resilience and friendship. Garrett’s character was part of the bully group that pushes the story’s central bet forward, and fans often remembered his look and timing even in a supporting role. He attended publicity events during the release period, including a premiere appearance as a teenager, and he spoke in interviews then about enjoying the camaraderie on set.
In the years after that movie, Garrett did not maintain a large public filmography as an adult, and friends said his life included stretches far from entertainment. That distance, and the limited public record of his later work, contributed to the shock many fans expressed online when his death was reported. Social media posts after the announcement included clips from the film, photos from red carpet events and messages from people who said they remembered him from touring productions and early theater. Many of the posts focused on the contrast between the upbeat tone of his childhood work and the suddenness of his death.
His mother said he had lived in Tulsa for about three years and had been trying to build stability. She said the family was still gathering information about his final days and did not have a confirmed medical explanation. No agency had publicly detailed the circumstances of his death, and there was no public report of an official determination by health authorities as of Tuesday.
Garrett’s recent shingles diagnosis became a central detail in early reports because his mother said he sought emergency care for severe pain shortly before he died. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, and it can produce a painful rash and nerve pain that can last weeks or longer. Doctors often note that the condition is more common in older adults but can occur at younger ages as well. In Garrett’s case, his mother said the pain was strong enough to send him to the emergency room, though officials have not released any details about his treatment, prescriptions or medical history.
His mother also said she did not know whether other medical issues were involved. Authorities have not described where Garrett died, whether anyone was with him, or whether there were signs of a broader medical emergency. In many sudden deaths, medical examiners conduct an autopsy and may order toxicology tests or other lab work before issuing a final cause and manner of death. That process can take additional time, and families often wait weeks for complete results.
The attention around Garrett’s death also highlighted a familiar pattern in entertainment: a child actor becomes memorable through a single role, then steps away from public view as adulthood begins. Fans often retain a clear image of the performer at one age, while the person’s later life unfolds mostly privately. Friends and supporters described Garrett as someone who had lived “several different lives,” including years away from acting. His mother’s comments about sobriety and a fresh start in Tulsa suggested a period of personal rebuilding, though few details were publicly released about his work or day-to-day life in recent years.
For viewers who knew him mainly as Plug, the news sent many back to a movie that still circulates through streaming, rentals and family collections. “How to Eat Fried Worms” remains part of a school-themed comedy era built around childhood challenges and social pressure. The film’s ensemble was praised for energy and chemistry, and several young actors in the cast went on to longer careers. Garrett’s part, while smaller than the lead, remained recognizable within the bully group that drives the story’s conflict.
No funeral arrangements were announced in early reports, and there was no public statement from a studio representative connected to the film. Garrett’s family said they were waiting for official results before sharing more details. Friends and fans continued posting condolences as the news spread, with many messages emphasizing how young he was and how abruptly the death was reported.
Authorities have not said when the medical examiner’s report will be completed. For Garrett’s family, the next milestone is the autopsy finding that will determine the official cause of death and clarify the questions left open by his sudden passing.
Author note: Last updated February 10, 2026.