Nolan Blake Garrett, known professionally as Blake Garrett and best remembered by a generation of young viewers as the mischievous Plug in the 2006 family comedy How to Eat Fried Worms, has died at the age of 33. He passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His mother, Carol Garrett, confirmed the news, noting that the family is still awaiting official autopsy results from the medical examiner to determine the exact cause of death.
According to Carol Garrett, Blake had visited an emergency room in Oklahoma just days before his death after suffering severe pain. He was diagnosed with shingles, a painful viral infection. She expressed concern that her son, who had been sober for the past three years and was actively rebuilding his life, may have attempted to self-medicate to manage the discomfort. While she described his death as a possible tragic accident, the family continues to await confirmation.
Born Nolan Blake Garrett on September 14, 1992, in Austin, Texas, to parents Nolan Garrett and Carol Permenter Garrett, Blake displayed a natural talent for performance from an early age. He began in local theater, appearing in productions such as Aladdin and His Magical Lamp, Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Tribute, Annie (as Daddy Warbucks), The Wizard of Oz, and Grease. At just 10 years old, he landed a major opportunity, joining the international arena tour of Barney’s Colorful World as the character Mike. The tour ran from 2003 to 2004 and took the young performer across the globe, marking an impressive early milestone in his career.
His breakthrough on the big screen came in 2006 at age 13 when he was cast as Plug—the loyal but chaotic sidekick to the bully in How to Eat Fried Worms, the live-action adaptation of Thomas Rockwell’s beloved 1974 children’s novel. The film, which follows a new kid who bets he can eat 10 worms without throwing up, blended gross-out humor with heartfelt lessons about friendship and courage. Garrett’s energetic performance as one of the memorable young ensemble members helped the cast earn a Young Artist Award for Best Young Ensemble in a Feature Film. For many who grew up watching the movie on repeat in the mid-2000s, Plug became an unforgettable symbol of quirky childhood rebellion.
After his early success, Blake made a deliberate choice to step back from the spotlight. He transitioned to a more conventional childhood, enrolling at Bethel Schools in Oklahoma, where he thrived playing football and cherished the camaraderie of team sports. In later years, he settled in the state, focusing on personal growth. Those close to him described a young man proud of his sobriety and committed to building a stable, healthier future.
Blake is survived by his mother Carol Garrett and bonus-mom Laura Puryear; his father Nolan Garrett and stepmother Susan Garrett; brother Ryan Garrett and his wife Alex; sister Steph Sherer; grandmother Sandra Burton; uncles David Paul Burton (and wife Annette), John Garrett, and Taylor Garrett (and wife Sarah); along with several cousins and extended family. He was preceded in death by his brother Nicholas Garrett, maternal grandmother Granny Frankie, paternal grandparents Thomas and Cissy Garrett, grandfather David Burton (Pop), uncles Marty Permenter and Terrance Burton, and his beloved dog Rascal.
A memorial service was held on February 16, 2026, at Resthaven Funeral Home in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Blake Garrett’s story is a poignant reminder of the real lives behind the faces we remember from childhood screens. While his time in the spotlight was brief, his performance in How to Eat Fried Worms left a lasting mark on a generation. Friends and family remember not only the talented child actor but the man who worked quietly in his later years to find peace and purpose. At 33, his journey ended too soon, but the joy he brought to so many endures.
May he rest in peace.