Blake Garrett, a former child actor remembered by a generation of mid-2000s moviegoers for his role in the family comedy *How to Eat Fried Worms*, has died at just 33 years old — a tragedy that has shocked fans and renewed conversation about the pressures facing young performers after early fame fades.
Garrett died Sunday in Oklahoma, according to his mother, Carol Garrett, who said he had been hospitalized a week earlier after being diagnosed with shingles. While an official cause of death has not yet been released, his family fears complications may have followed attempts to manage the painful condition on his own.
The sudden loss is a sobering reminder that the entertainment industry’s brightest young faces often grow up far from the spotlight, carrying private struggles the public never sees.
Garrett, originally from Austin, Texas, was best known for playing the character “Plug” in the 2006 film How to Eat Fried Worms, a quirky coming-of-age comedy that developed a loyal fan base among younger audiences. The movie followed a boy dared to eat worms without throwing up — a premise as ridiculous as it was unforgettable to kids who grew up in that era.
Though Garrett played the sidekick to the film’s bully, he later shared that the cast was close behind the scenes. By all accounts, the young actors formed genuine friendships during filming — a rare bright spot in an industry often criticized for chewing up and discarding child talent.
The ensemble cast went on to win a Best Young Ensemble award at the 2007 Young Artist Awards, cementing the movie’s cult status among family comedies of the time.
Before making it to the big screen, Garrett had already built an impressive résumé in live theater. He performed in stage productions of *Aladdin and His Magical Lamp*, *The Wizard of Oz*, *Annie*, and *Grease*, showcasing a versatility that suggested a long career ahead. He also toured internationally as part of *Barney’s Colorful World*, bringing children’s entertainment to families around the globe.
In interviews, Garrett spoke warmly about his experiences as a child performer. He once joked that children in some audiences were fascinated by his hair color, having never seen anything like it before. That sense of humor and humility stuck with fans who followed his early work.
Shingles, the illness Garrett had recently been diagnosed with, is a painful viral condition that affects roughly one in three Americans at some point in their lives. While fatalities are rare, the disease can be debilitating, particularly if complications arise.
Friends and fans have begun sharing tributes online, remembering Garrett not just as a former child actor but as someone who brought laughter and energy to a generation of kids. His death underscores a broader cultural reality: fame at a young age doesn’t shield anyone from life’s fragility.
At 33, Garrett’s life was far from finished. For many who grew up watching him, the news feels personal — a reminder of how quickly time moves and how deeply childhood memories can attach us to the people who helped shape them.
His family has asked for privacy as they grieve. For fans, the best tribute may simply be revisiting the work that made them laugh — and remembering the young performer who helped create it.
