Child actor from 'How to Eat Fried Worms' died of fentanyl overdose, medical examiner rules

Blake Garrett, the former child actor best known for playing Plug in the 2006 film 'How to Eat Fried Worms,' died at age 33 from an accidental fentanyl overdose, according to the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Page Six reported that the actor died in February, and TMZ obtained the medical examiner's summary report confirming the cause. Garrett was found at a sober living house in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on February 8, according to Deadline.

3 sources

TMZBlake Garrett, Child Actor in 'How to Eat Fried Worms,' Cause of Death RevealedPage Six‘How to Eat Fried Worms’ child star Blake Garrett’s cause of death revealedDeadlineFormer Child Actor Blake Garrett Died from Accidental Fentanyl Overdose at Age 33

"The cause of death was acute fentanyl toxicity, ruled an accident."

The tragedy highlights the ongoing toll of the opioid crisis, even among those who once had promising careers in the spotlight. Deadline reported that Garrett had been living at the sober living facility, though no further details about his struggles have been publicly released.

Garrett's most prominent role was in 'How to Eat Fried Worms,' a family comedy based on the children's book. TMZ noted that he appeared in the film alongside actors like Luke Benward and Hallie Kate Eisenberg. His death at a young age has brought renewed attention to the dangers of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that has claimed thousands of lives nationwide.