Kaylee Hottle, known for her role in the blockbuster film Godzilla vs. Kong, has tragically passed away at the age of 18, as confirmed by her father. The deaf actress gained fame for portraying Jia in the 2021 film and its follow-up, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, launched in 2024. Her father, Joshua Hottle, shared the heartbreaking news during a Facebook live stream on Tuesday, July 21.
In an emotional recount shared through American Sign Language (ASL), Joshua, who is also deaf, explained he had to travel from Texas to Maryland to retrieve Kaylee’s body after hearing of her untimely death. He disclosed that Kaylee was involved in a severe car accident, with authorities alerting him that her heart had stopped on route to the hospital.
Born in 2007 to a family entirely fluent in ASL, Kaylee naturally embraced sign language. She attended the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin, Texas, before officially stepping into the world of acting with a 2017 commercial for the video relay service Convo.
Through her work in commercials, Kaylee found her big break, earning her first major film role as Jia in the action-packed Godzilla vs. Kong, marking her debut in the feature film industry.
In the movie, Jia’s character forges a unique connection with King Kong through sign language, establishing a compassionate and special bond with the monumental creature.
She starred opposite Alexander Skarsgård and Rebecca Hall, who both learned ASL so they could communicate with Kaylee on set when the cameras weren’t rolling.
She reprised the role of Jia in the film’s sequel, and was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor at the 52nd Saturn Awards in 2025.
Tributes have flooded in for Kaylee online, with one writing: “Such a talented young actress who brought so much heart to the Godzilla films.”
Another shared: “Absolutely heartbreaking news. She was so talented and brought such incredible representation to the MonsterVerse films. Rest in peace.”
A third echoed: “That’s awful, such a beautiful talented girl taken way too soon.”
A fourth added: “Heartbroken to hear this, she lit up the screen and now we’ll keep her memory shining.”
Someone else said: ” Awww no!! This is absolutely devastating. I really wasn’t expecting this today. Sending love and prayers to her and her family during this incredibly difficult time.”