Blake Garrett, Former Child Star, Passes Away at 33

Blake Garrett, a former child actor celebrated for his performance in the comedy 'How to Eat Fried Worms,' has died unexpectedly at the age of 33.

His mother, Carol, confirmed that Garrett passed away in Oklahoma on February 8, a week after being hospitalized due to shingles.

While the specific cause of his death has not been disclosed, his mother expresses concern that it might have been accidental, as she believes he may have been self-medicating following his shingles diagnosis.

Garrett, hailing from Austin, Texas, portrayed the character Plug in the 2006 film 'How to Eat Fried Worms,' where he shared the screen with Luke Benward, Hallie Eisenberg, and Adam Hicks.

The ensemble cast of 'How to Eat Fried Worms' was honored with the Best Young Ensemble in a Feature Film award at the Young Artists Awards in 2007.

In addition to his film work, Garrett was featured in various stage productions such as 'Aladdin and his Magical Lamp,' 'The Wizard of Oz,' 'Annie,' and 'Grease.' He also participated in 'Barney’s Colorful World International Tour' from 2003 to 2004, according to Deadline.

Garrett fondly recalled how children were intrigued by his distinctive hair color, stating, "Some of them had never seen my hair color."

Shingles is characterized by a painful rash, affecting roughly one in three individuals, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although many experience this condition, fewer than 100 people die from shingles annually, according to health authorities.