The news of Blake Garrett’s passing hits hard, especially for anyone who grew up in the mid-2000s, rewinding family comedies on repeat and laughing along with unforgettable childhood characters.
Blake Garrett — born Nolan Blake Garrett — died on Sunday, February 8, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at just 33 years old. His mother, Carol Garrett, confirmed his death, noting that the family is awaiting official autopsy results to determine the cause.
For many, Garrett will forever be remembered as Plug in How to Eat Fried Worms — the mischievous, unforgettable character in the 2006 adaptation of the beloved children’s novel. The film told the story of a new student who makes a bet with a bully to eat ten worms without throwing up. Quirky, gross, and oddly heartfelt, it became a staple of childhood for a generation.
Garrett’s performance, alongside his young castmates, earned the ensemble a Young Artist Award for Best Young Ensemble Cast. Plug was one of those characters who sticks with you — chaotic yet charming, the kind of role that becomes a marker of memory and nostalgia.
But Blake’s love for performance didn’t begin in Hollywood. Born in Austin, Texas, he displayed stage presence early, performing in local theater productions like Aladdin and His Magical Lamp and Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Tribute. He later appeared in classics such as The Wizard of Oz, Annie, and Grease. By age 10, he achieved a major milestone, touring nationally with Barney’s Colorful World International Tour — an extraordinary feat for such a young performer.
In recent years, Blake had been living in Oklahoma. His mother shared that he had been sober for three years, a hard-earned achievement he was proud of. Friends described him as a man working quietly to rebuild his life, focused on moving forward with clarity and strength.
Carol Garrett revealed that Blake had recently sought care for severe pain and was diagnosed with shingles. She expressed concern that he may have tried to self-medicate, raising the possibility that his death could have been a tragic accident. Official results are still pending, leaving some questions unanswered.
What remains undeniable is not just the early promise of Blake’s talent, but the courage and dedication he showed in the later, quieter chapters of his life — striving to stay sober, regain stability, and pursue a healthier future.
Child actors often become frozen in our memories, locked in the age we first saw them. Their passing forces us to confront the reality that life moved on for them too, with its challenges, hardships, and second chances.
At 33, Blake Garrett’s story was far from over. Those who knew him say he had been working toward brighter days, proud of the progress he had made.
For fans who grew up laughing with Plug in How to Eat Fried Worms, this loss resonates deeply, a reminder of childhood films that shaped us and the real lives behind the performances we loved.
Blake Garrett was only 33.
May he rest in peace.
