Former Child Actor Blake Garrett Passes Away at Age 33
Blake Garrett, the former child actor best remembered for his role in the 2006 family comedy film How to Eat Fried Worms, has died at the age of 33. His mother, Carol Garrett, confirmed the tragic news to TMZ, revealing that Garrett passed away on Sunday, February 8th. The family is currently awaiting autopsy results to determine the official cause of death.
Medical Complications and Suspected Accident
According to his mother's statements to TMZ, Garrett visited an emergency room in Oklahoma last week after experiencing severe pain. He was subsequently diagnosed with shingles, a viral infection known for causing painful rashes. Carol Garrett suggested that her son may have self-medicated to manage the discomfort, leading to suspicions that his death might have been a tragic accident.
Early Career and Breakthrough Role
Born in Austin, Texas, Garrett began his performance career at just eight years old, appearing in local theatre productions. His early roles included:
- The magician in Aladdin and his Magical Lamp
- Charlie Brown in Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Tribute
- Additional performances in The Wizard of Oz, Annie, and Grease
At age 10, he joined the national touring production of Barney's Colorful World, performing in arenas across the country between 2003 and 2004.
Garrett's breakthrough came with the 2006 film How to Eat Fried Worms, where he portrayed Plug, one of the henchmen to the main school bully Joe Guire (played by Adam Hicks). The film follows a new student named Billy (Luke Benward) who is forced to eat ten worms daily by his tormentors.
Award Recognition and Memorable Experiences
In 2007, Garrett and his young castmates received a Young Artist Award for Best Young Ensemble in a Feature Film for their work on How to Eat Fried Worms. The film adaptation of Thomas Rockwell's 1973 children's book also featured notable actors including James Rebhorn, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and Tom Cavanagh.
During filming at age 13, Garrett shared memorable experiences with The Oklahoman newspaper, including learning to perform a 360-degree bicycle move from a stuntman. He recalled one particular scene where he slid his bicycle on a gravel road, sending gravel toward a ground-level camera. "They really liked that shot, and that's the one they used in the movie," Garrett told the publication.
Later Life and Career Transition
Despite his early success in acting, Garrett did not appear to continue his entertainment career into adulthood. According to TMZ reports, his mother stated that he had been "living a really good life" in recent years while residing in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The circumstances surrounding his untimely death have left family, friends, and fans mourning the loss of the talented former child actor.
