Blake Garrett, child actor known for How to Eat Fried Worms role, dies of acute fentanyl toxicity, Oklahoma medical examiner report says

Former child actor Blake Garrett, known for his role as “Plug” in the family comedy How to Eat Fried Worms, has died, TMZ reported on July 13, citing a summary report from the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The report, as described by TMZ, lists Garrett’s cause of death as acute fentanyl toxicity.

Deadline reported the same account, stating that the medical examiner summary report attributed the death to fentanyl overdose. Deadline did not provide further investigative details in its coverage beyond the medical examiner finding, and the report was characterized as a summary rather than a full toxicology or autopsy document.

Garrett’s acting credits included the role that brought him the most recognition, “Plug,” in How to Eat Fried Worms, a film adapted from the popular children’s novel and produced for a family audience. The role helped establish Garrett as a familiar face to viewers who watched the film during its original run and in later home and streaming distribution.

Because the coverage centers on a summary listing from the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, additional specifics about circumstances around Garrett’s death, including the timeline of events and any involvement of other substances, were not included in the reported material. Any broader conclusions about what happened would require confirmation from the full medical examiner findings or additional official documentation.

The reporting arrives amid ongoing public attention to fentanyl-related overdose deaths in the United States, particularly cases involving accidental exposure or mixing risks. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid, and public health officials have emphasized that even small quantities can be dangerous, especially when the drug is obtained or present without a person’s knowledge.

Garrett’s death also renews attention on the way the entertainment industry and families manage sudden losses among performers, including former child actors whose later careers may be less visible to the public. In the immediate aftermath of such deaths, families and representatives often request privacy while official determinations are reviewed and documented.

For now, the only clearly reported cause-of-death description in the public record referenced by the outlets is “acute fentanyl toxicity” as reflected in a medical examiner summary report associated with Oklahoma. Additional details, if released by the medical examiner office or through court records or official statements, would be the next step for confirming any remaining questions about circumstances and contributing factors.