The former child star, known for playing Plug in “How to Eat Fried Worms,” died in Tulsa at age 33.
TULSA, Okla. — Former child actor Blake Garrett died from acute fentanyl toxicity, and his death was ruled an accident, according to findings released more than five months after he was found dead at a Tulsa residence.
The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner listed acute fentanyl toxicity as Garrett’s probable cause of death. No other significant medical conditions were identified as contributing factors, according to reports citing the examiner’s findings. Garrett died Feb. 8 at age 33. He was best known for playing Plug in the 2006 family comedy “How to Eat Fried Worms.”
Garrett was found at his residence at about 9:44 p.m. and pronounced dead at the scene, according to the medical examiner’s report. The residence was described as a sober living house. The findings provided an official explanation for his death after his family said in February that an autopsy was pending.
Garrett’s mother, Carol Garrett, previously said her son had been sober for about three years and had worked to rebuild his life in Oklahoma. She said he had gone to an emergency room shortly before his death because of severe pain and was diagnosed with shingles. She raised the possibility that he may have tried to manage the pain himself, but the medical examiner’s report did not list shingles as a contributing cause of death.
The official ruling described the death as accidental. Authorities did not publicly report evidence suggesting that another person caused Garrett’s death, and the released findings did not provide further details about how he obtained or consumed the fentanyl.
Born Nolan Blake Garrett on Sept. 14, 1992, in Austin, Texas, Garrett began performing in plays and musical theater as a child. His family’s obituary said he appeared in productions including “Annie” and “Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Tribute.” He also joined an international tour of the arena production “Barney’s Colorful World” when he was about 10.
Garrett later appeared in the 2004 video special “Barney’s Colorful World, Live!” His most recognized role came two years later when he portrayed Plug, a member of a school bully’s group, in “How to Eat Fried Worms.” The movie was based on Thomas Rockwell’s children’s novel and followed a new student who accepts a bet involving eating worms.
The movie featured Luke Benward, Adam Hicks, Hallie Kate Eisenberg, Philip Daniel Bolden and other young performers. Its adult cast included Tom Cavanagh, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, James Rebhorn and Andrea Martin. Garrett and the other young actors received a Young Artist Award for best ensemble cast in a feature film.
Garrett did not continue pursuing a screen career after the movie. His obituary said he chose to step away from acting and enjoyed playing football while attending school in Oklahoma. Earlier reports said he also had an interest in wrestling. His family remembered him for the relationships and experiences he built outside the entertainment industry.
The medical examiner’s accidental-death ruling resolves the main question left unanswered when Garrett’s death was announced in February. No additional official findings or investigations related to his death had been publicly announced as of Wednesday.
Author note: Last updated July 15, 2026.