The actress, known for playing Jia in the MonsterVerse films, died following a car accident in Maryland.
Kaylee Hottle, known for playing Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, has died following a car accident in Maryland. She was 18.
Her father, Joshua Hottle, announced her death during a Facebook livestream conducted in American Sign Language.
The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle was a senior, also confirmed her death in a statement shared on social media. Hottle and her father were both deaf, and she came from a multigenerational deaf family.
"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. 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," the school said.
Born in Georgia, Hottle grew up in an all-deaf family and became fluent in American Sign Language from an early age. Before beginning her acting career, she appeared in commercials promoting accessibility and support for the deaf community, including campaigns for the video interpreting service Convo.
Hottle made her feature film debut in 2021's Godzilla vs. Kong, portraying Jia, a deaf orphan who shares a unique bond with Kong and is adopted by Dr. Ilene Andrews, played by Rebecca Hall. Her use of American Sign Language became central to the character, with Jia communicating directly with Kong through signing.
She reprised the role in 2024's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, earning a Saturn Award nomination for Best Performance by a Younger Actor.
Beyond the MonsterVerse franchise, Hottle appeared in a 2021 episode of Magnum P.I. She was also a student-athlete who competed on the track-and-field team at the Texas School for the Deaf while pursuing an acting career.
Hottle's performances introduced audiences around the world to Jia, a character who became an important part of the MonsterVerse franchise. Though her acting career had only begun, her work left a lasting impression on fans of the films.
Kaylee Hottle is survived by her family. Information regarding memorial services has not been announced.
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