Kaylee Hottle, 'Godzilla vs Kong' Actor, Dies at 18 After Car Accident

Kaylee Hottle, the deaf actor best known for playing Jia in Godzilla vs Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, has died. She was 18. Hottle died following a car accident in Frederick, Maryland, on Tuesday, July 21. Her father, Joshua Hottle, announced the news during a Facebook livestream in American Sign Language and later confirmed her death to TMZ. According to her father, emergency responders treated the young actor at the scene before she was taken to a hospital. However, her heart reportedly stopped while she was being transported, and doctors were unable to revive her. Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Texas School for the Deaf confirms Kaylee Hottle's death

The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle was a senior, also confirmed her death in a statement shared on social media. "It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that one of our TSD seniors, Kaylee Hottle, tragically passed away yesterday in a car accident in Frederick, Maryland," the school said. "Our hearts are with Kaylee's family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time. At this time, we have very limited information and ask that everyone respect the privacy of Kaylee's family and refrain from sharing or speculating about the circumstances surrounding the accident." Hottle and her father were both deaf and belonged to a multi-generational deaf family.

Kaylee Hottle rose to fame as Jia in the MonsterVerse

Kaylee Hottle made her Hollywood breakthrough in 2021's Godzilla vs Kong, where she played Jia, a deaf orphan who forms a special bond with Kong. The character is adopted by Dr. Ilene Andrews, played by Rebecca Hall, and became one of the emotional anchors of the film. She reprised the role in 2024's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, earning widespread praise from audiences. Her performance also earned her a Saturn Award nomination for Best Performance by a Younger Actor. News of Kaylee Hottle's death spread quickly across social media, with fans of the MonsterVerse franchise and members of the deaf community paying tribute to the young actor. Many remembered her for bringing authentic deaf representation to a major Hollywood franchise and inspiring young deaf performers around the world.