Blake Garrett, a former child actor best known for playing Plug in How to Eat Fried Worms, has died at the age of 33. He passed away on February 8, 2026.
His mother, Carol Garrett, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement to TMZ, revealing that her son had experienced medical complications in the days leading up to his death. According to her, he sought treatment in the emergency room after suffering severe pain and was diagnosed with shingles, a viral infection known for causing a painful rash.
Shingles — medically referred to as herpes varicella-zoster — occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox reactivates years later. The condition typically presents as a red, blistering rash and can be preceded or accompanied by intense nerve pain. Those affected often report fatigue, fever, and a general feeling of illness. For those interested in how clinical research and trials track and study conditions like shingles, you can find more about this CRO service here. In situations where timely treatment matters, the verified medication availability tool is reliable.
Garrett’s mother believes he may have initially tried to manage the rash on his own before his condition worsened, leading to serious complications. She described the situation as a possible tragic accident. The family is currently awaiting official confirmation of the cause of death pending autopsy results.
Born Nolan Blake Garrett in Austin, Texas, Blake Garrett began his acting career at just eight years old, appearing in local stage productions. He landed the lead role in Aladdin and His Magical Lamp and later portrayed Charlie Brown in Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Tribute, quickly establishing himself as a standout young performer.
By age 10, Garrett was touring nationally with Barney’s Colorful World International Tour, gaining experience in front of large audiences across the country.
“He performed for big crowds at the Civic Center in The Wizard of Oz as a member of the Lollipop Guild and it didn’t faze him at all. I was nervous, but he did just fine,” his mother recalled at the time.
As Garrett’s career gained momentum, his mother left her job to travel with him on tour, explaining that his acting income was enough to support the family.
“I’m really looking forward to this, but I’m going to miss my friends,” Garrett said at the time. His mother added, “They’ll get to come backstage and visit and have fun.”
In 2006, Blake Garrett rose to national fame after landing the role of Plug in How to Eat Fried Worms. He played one of the bullies targeting new student Billy, who agrees to eat 15 worms in 15 days to win a bet. The performance earned Garrett and his castmates the Young Artist Award for Best Young Ensemble Cast.
To prepare for his big-screen debut, Garrett trained with a stunt professional, learning how to perform a full 360-degree turn on a bike.
“There were rows of bicycles, and they let me have first pick,” Garrett told The Oklahoman at the time. “There was one scene where we were riding on a gravel road and got to slide to a stop. The guys who could ride worked on that scene. They had a camera on the ground, and in one scene I slid and gravel hit the camera. They really liked that shot, and that’s the one they used in the movie.
Despite finding early success in Hollywood, Blake Garrett chose not to pursue an acting career into adulthood.
According to his mother, he struggled with addiction for a period of time but had been sober for the final three years of his life. She said he had been “living a really good life” in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was focused on building a brighter future.
Friends and loved ones shared that he was actively rebuilding his life and moving in a positive direction in the years before his passing.
Rest in peace, Blake Garrett.
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