Godzilla x Kong Actress Kaylee Hottle passes away at 18 after car crash
Godzilla vs. Kong actress Kaylee Hottle has died in a car crash at the age of 18. Co-stars Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall and Dan Stevens pay tribute.
Actress Kaylee Hottle, best known for playing Jia in the Godzilla vs. Kong film series, has died in a car accident at the age of 18. The young actress, who was deaf, passed away in a single-vehicle crash in Frederick, Maryland, on Tuesday morning.
According to police, excessive speed is believed to have been a factor in the accident. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the crash.
Father Confirms the Tragic NewsKaylee's father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed her death through a Facebook livestream using American Sign Language (ASL). He shared that he was travelling from Texas to Maryland to bring his daughter's body home.
Both Kaylee and her father were deaf and belonged to a multi-generational deaf family. Kaylee was a senior at the Texas School for the Deaf, which also confirmed the heartbreaking news on social media.
The school said it was sharing the news with "profound sadness" and added, "Our hearts are with Kaylee's family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time." The school also requested people to respect the family's privacy and avoid speculation about the accident.
Remembered for Her Role as JiaKaylee Hottle became widely known after making her film debut as Jia, a deaf orphan who shares a special bond with Kong, in Godzilla vs. Kong (2021). She returned to the role in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024), where her performance earned her a Saturn Award nomination for Best Performance by a Younger Actor.
In the films, Jia communicated with Kong through American Sign Language, making her character an important part of the story and bringing authentic deaf representation to the screen.
Apart from the Godzilla franchise, Kaylee also appeared in an episode of Magnum P.I. in 2021. Before entering films, she featured in commercials supporting the deaf community, including campaigns for the video interpreting service Convo.
Co-Stars Pay Emotional TributeSeveral of Kaylee's co-stars paid tribute following the news of her passing. Rebecca Hall, who played Dr. Ilene Andrews in the Godzilla films, shared photos with Kaylee on Instagram and wrote, "Devastated to hear this news. My heart goes out to your family. You will be missed Kaylee."
Millie Bobby Brown also expressed her grief on Instagram Stories, writing, "I'm so devastated to hear this. You will be deeply missed Kaylee."
Actor Dan Stevens, who appeared in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, also shared a tribute on Instagram Stories with a photo of Kaylee and a broken heart emoji.
Promising Young Talent Gone Too SoonBorn on May 1, 2007, in Atlanta, Georgia, Kaylee Hottle was raised in an all-deaf family and was fluent in American Sign Language. Along with acting, she was an athlete who competed on the Texas School for the Deaf's track-and-field team.
Her performances and advocacy for deaf representation made a lasting impact on audiences around the world. Kaylee's untimely death is a heartbreaking loss for her family, friends, classmates, and the entertainment industry.