Kaylee Hottle, the deaf actor best known for playing Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is dead. She was 18 years old.Hottle died after a car accident in Frederick, Maryland, on Tuesday, July 21. His father, Joshua Hottle, announced the news during a Facebook Live stream in American Sign Language and later confirmed his death to TMZ.According to his father, emergency services treated the young actor at the scene before he was taken to a hospital. However, her heart reportedly stopped while being transported and doctors were unable to revive her. Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances of the accident.
Texas School for the Deaf confirms the death of Kaylee Hottle
The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle was a 1st grade student, also confirmed his death in a statement shared on social media.“It is with deep sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that one of our TSD seniors, Kaylee Hottle, was tragically killed yesterday in a car accident in Frederick, Maryland,” the school said.“Our hearts go out to Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates and all 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 his father were 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 Godzilla vs. 2021’s 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 film’s emotional anchors.He reprized the role in 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, garnering widespread praise from audiences. His performance also earned him a Saturn Award nomination for Best Performance by a Young Actor.News of Kaylee Hottle’s death spread quickly on social media, with fans of the MonsterVerse franchise and members of the deaf community paying tribute to the young actor. She was remembered by many for bringing authentic deaf representation to a major Hollywood franchise and for inspiring young deaf performers around the world.