The deaf actor, who played a major role in Godzilla vs Kong and its 2024 sequel, was killed in a car crash in Maryland
Kaylee Hottle, who played a major role in Godzilla vs Kong and the sequel Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, has died at the age of 18.
Her death was confirmed by her father, Joshua, in a video shared on Facebook. The stream was in American Sign Language (ASL) as the Hottle family is all deaf. “I am taking a flight that I never would like to take,” is the name of the video.
Hottle was killed in a car crash in Frederick, Maryland.
Her death was also shared by the Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle attended. “Our hearts are with Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time,” it read.
Hottle was known for playing Jia in the 2021 hit adventure Godzilla vs Kong. The character was a deaf orphan who forms a bond with Kong. She starred alongside Rebecca Hall, who played her adopted mother.
“Devastated to hear this news,” Hall wrote on Instagram, where she shared photos of the two of them on set. “My heart goes out to your family. You will be missed Kaylee.”
Hall and fellow co-star Alexander Skarsgård both learned ASL so they could communicate directly with Hottle on set.
“I think some people see ASL and deafness as a barrier or a gift, but it’s just a language, and deaf is just deaf,” Hottle said in an interview. “We can do many things, just not hear. We need more deaf actresses and crew in the industry for people to see and normalize it.”
Hottle also appeared in the sequel Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which was released in 2024. The role gained her a nomination for best performance by a younger actor at the Saturn awards.
“I’m acting in monster movies as a deaf person,” she said in another interview. “I want deaf people to know that they can do that too, just like me. There are no limits.”
Her co-star Millie Bobby Brown paid tribute today on social media. “I’m so devastated to hear this,” she wrote. “You will be deeply missed Kaylee.”
Hottle also appeared in a number of commercials and in an episode of the rebooted Magnum PI television series.
