“Godzilla vs. King Kong” actor and rising star dies aged 18

The entertainment industry is grieving the untimely death of promising actress Kaylee Hottle.

Hottle, who gained recognition for her role as Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, tragically passed away at the age of 18 due to a car accident in Maryland.

According to authorities, she was a passenger in a vehicle that veered off the road and collided with a culvert early Tuesday morning.

She was rushed to a local trauma center but, unfortunately, could not be saved. Police suspect that speed may have contributed to the accident, which is still under investigation.

Coming from a multigenerational Deaf family, Hottle was a fluent user of American Sign Language (ASL) and became a pioneer for Deaf representation in Hollywood. She made her feature film debut in 2021 as Jia, the young deaf girl who develops a remarkable connection with Kong, and reprised her role in the 2024 sequel.

Her performance received widespread acclaim, leading to a Saturn Award nomination for Best Younger Performer. Beyond her film work, she also guest-starred in an episode of Magnum P.I. and inspired many young deaf individuals who saw themselves reflected in mainstream cinema.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Kaylee Hottle was present at the Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures world premiere of “Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire” at TCL Chinese Theatre on March 25, 2024, in Hollywood, California.(Photo by Monica Schipper/WireImage)

The tragic news of her death was confirmed by Hottle’s father, Joshua, in a heartfelt video shared in American Sign Language.

The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle studied, also honored her memory, calling her passing a profound loss for all who knew and cherished her.