The news of Blake Garrett’s passing has hit especially hard for those who grew up watching mid-2000s family films. Blake Garrett — born Nolan Blake Garrett — died Sunday, February 8, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at just 33. His mother, Carol Garrett, confirmed his death, saying the family is awaiting official autopsy results to determine the exact cause.Many remember Garrett as Plug in How to Eat Fried Worms (2006), the mischievous character in the film about a boy who bets he can eat ten worms.

The movie became a childhood favorite, and Garrett’s performance helped the young cast earn a Young Artist Award for Best Young Ensemble. For fans, Plug was chaotic, funny, and unforgettable — a small but lasting piece of their childhood. Garrett’s love for performing began early in Austin, Texas, where he appeared in local theater productions like Aladdin, The Wizard of Oz, Annie, and Grease.

At just 10, he toured nationally with Barney’s Colorful World, marking an important milestone in his young career. In recent years, Garrett lived in Oklahoma and had been sober for three years — something his family said he was deeply proud of. His mother shared he recently visited the emergency room with severe pain and was diagnosed with shingles, raising concerns his death may have been accidental, though details remain unclear.

Friends say he was working toward a better future. For many fans, his passing is a reminder of time, memory, and the real lives behind childhood stars.