'Godzilla vs. Kong' star Kaylee Hottle passes away at 18
The young actress's father confirmed her death after she was involved in a serious traffic accident
Kaylee Hottle, the young Deaf actress best known for playing Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, has died at the age of 18 following a car crash in Maryland.
Her father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed the heartbreaking news on Tuesday after reports first emerged. According to TMZ, Kaylee was involved in a serious traffic accident on the morning of July 21 and died while being transported to a hospital.
In a video shared on Facebook using American Sign Language, Joshua revealed he was traveling from Texas to Maryland to bring his daughter home. “I am taking a flight that I never would like to take,” he wrote in the caption.
The Texas School for the Deaf, where Kaylee was a senior, also paid tribute to the actress in a heartfelt statement.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that one of our TSD seniors, Kaylee Hottle, tragically passed away in a car accident in Frederick, Maryland,” the school wrote.
“Our hearts are with Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time.”
The school also urged the public to respect the family's privacy and avoid speculating about the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Kaylee launched her acting career after appearing in a 2017 advertisement for the American Sign Language translation app Convo. The commercial led filmmakers behind the Godzilla franchise to cast her as Jia, a Deaf orphan who forms a special bond with Kong through sign language.
She made her film debut in 2021's Godzilla vs. Kong alongside Alexander Skarsgård, Rebecca Hall, Millie Bobby Brown and Brian Tyree Henry before reprising the role in 2024's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Skarsgård previously praised the young actress for her natural talent and professionalism on set.
“It’s her first movie,” he said in a 2021 interview.
“She’s so professional... there’s so much going on in her face, her expression and the subtleties of that is fascinating to watch.”
Beyond the Godzilla x Kong franchise, Kaylee also appeared in an episode of Magnum P.I. and earned a Saturn Award nomination for Best Younger Performer in a Film for her role in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Her death has left fans and the Deaf community mourning the loss of a promising young talent whose performances inspired audiences around the world.