HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Kaylee Hottle attends 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 Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Kaylee Hottle, who starred in Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, has died.
The actress’ father, Joshua Hottle, told TMZ that his daughter died in a car accident Tuesday morning in Maryland. Although most news outlets are reporting that she was 18, the actress’ IMDb profile notes that she was born on May 1, 2007, which would have made her 19.
ForbesHal Williams, ‘Sanford And Son’ And ‘227’ Star, Dies At 91By Tim Lammers
Kaylee Hottle, who was deaf, communicated with Kong in the Godzilla vs. Kong movies through sign language. Joshua Hottle shared the news of his daughter’s death through American Sign Language (ASL) on a 23-minute-long Facebook livestream. In the livestream video post, which was taken in Texas, Joshua Hottle wrote, “I am taking a flight that I never would like to take.”
Kaylee Hottle, according to TMZ, was part of a multi-generational deaf family.
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 19: Kaylee Hottle attends Japan World Heroes 2023: A Kaiju-Sized Celebration Of Japanese Pop Culture at Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport on August 19, 2023 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
Getty Images
In 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, Hottle’s Jia is a native of Skull Island, who at the beginning of the film presents a handmade doll to Kong and plays a pivotal role throughout the film. Hottle reprised the role in 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. In both films, Jia is taken under the wing of Ilene Andrews, played by Rebecca Hall.
Alexander Skarsgård, who starred opposite Hottle in Godzilla vs. Kong, told Junkee in 2021 that he and Hall learned ASL to communicate with the actress when the cameras weren’t rolling. Skarsgård was floored by the poise of Hottle, who was 9 years old at the time of filming.
ForbesSam Neill, ‘Jurassic Park’ Franchise Star, Dies At 78By Tim Lammers
“It’s her first movie,” Skarsgård told Junkee. “It’s fascinating how comfortable she is in front of the camera and how quickly she takes notes from the director Adam (Wingard). He’ll explain something and she’ll be like ‘got it, got it’ then she’ll just do it and everyone’s like ‘the f–k … how did she?’ She’s so professional and just incredibly … there’s so much going on on her face, her expression and the subtleties of that is fascinating to watch.”
Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire earned Hottle a Best Younger Performer in a Film Saturn Award nomination from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films in 2025.
Hottle Was A Senior At Texas School For The Deaf
Hottle, who was born in Atlanta, went on to attend the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin.
The school wrote in a Facebook post, “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.
“Our hearts are with Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time.”
In addition to her Godzilla vs. Kong films, Hottle appeared in an episode of CBS’ Magnum P.I. reboot in 2021. Prior to her work in film and television, Hottle, who was fluent in ASL, appeared in commercials for the deaf community.
ForbesWai Ching Ho, Madame Gao In ‘Daredevil’ And Other Marvel Shows, Dies At 82By Tim Lammers