Former Child Star Blake Garrett Dies Suddenly at Age 33
The entertainment world is mourning the sudden loss of former child actor Blake Garrett, who passed away at the young age of 33. Garrett, best remembered for his role in the popular 2006 comedy film How to Eat Fried Worms, died in Oklahoma on Sunday, February 8.
Circumstances Surrounding His Death
According to his mother, Carol, who spoke to TMZ, Garrett was rushed to the hospital just a week before his death and diagnosed with shingles. While the official cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, his mother expressed concerns that it might have been accidental. She suspects he may have been self-medicating following his shingles diagnosis, which could have contributed to the tragic outcome.
Career Highlights and Achievements
Blake Garrett, originally from Austin, Texas, played the character Plug in How to Eat Fried Worms, a film that also starred Luke Benward, Hallie Eisenberg, and Adam Hicks. The movie's young cast was recognized for their performance, winning the Best Young Ensemble in a Feature Film award at the Young Artists Awards in 2007.
Before his film debut, Garrett had a thriving career in theater, appearing in productions such as:
- Aladdin and his Magical Lamp
- The Wizard of Oz
- Annie
- Grease
He also toured internationally as part of the Barney's Colorful World International Tour from 2003 to 2004, as reported by Deadline. Garrett once shared an amusing anecdote about his time on tour, noting that children were often fascinated by his hair color, with some never having seen it before.
Understanding Shingles and Its Risks
Shingles is a painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it affects approximately one in three people during their lifetime. While shingles can be severe, health officials indicate that fewer than 100 people die from it each year in the United States, making Garrett's case particularly rare and tragic.
The sudden passing of Blake Garrett has left fans and the entertainment community in shock, as they remember his contributions to film and theater at such a young age.
