'Godzilla vs. Kong' star na si Kaylee Hottle, pumanaw na sa edad na 18

Published 22 Jul 2026 at 1:30 PM

by Chris Franco

3 min read

Young deaf actress Kaylee Hottle, known for her standout role as Jia in 'Godzilla vs. Kong', passed away at the age of 18
Several reports have confirmed that the Hollywood rising star lost her life following a tragic car crash in Frederick, Maryland
Her father, Joshua, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a video, while the Texas School for the Deaf also released a statement
Hollywood stars including Rebecca Hall and Millie Bobby Brown expressed their deep grief and shared touching tributes online

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The entertainment world is mourning the tragic loss of young actress Kaylee Hottle, who gained global acclaim for her breakout performance in Hollywood blockbuster films.

'Godzilla vs. Kong' star na si Kaylee Hottle, pumanaw na sa edad na 18 — Photos: @kaylee_hottle on Instagram | Warner Bros
Source: Instagram

The deaf actress, who captured millions of hearts worldwide as Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) and its sequel Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024), tragically died in a car crash in Frederick, Maryland, as reported by The Guardian. She was just 18 years old when she had passed away.

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According to a report from Inquirer on the incident, excessive speed is believed to be a factor in the crash.

Her father, Joshua, confirmed the news in a Facebook video formatted in American Sign Language (ASL).

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In a report done by Variety, The Texas School for the Deaf, where Kaylee studied, also released a statement of condolence. "Our hearts are with Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time," the school shared.

Kaylee made her big screen debut as Jia, a young deaf orphan who forms a special bond with Kong.

Upon hearing the tragic news, her co-star Rebecca Hall, who played her character's adoptive mother, posted photos of them on set alongside a grief-stricken message. "Devastated to hear this news," Rebecca penned on Instagram. "My heart goes out to your family. You will be missed Kaylee," she added.

Fellow co-star Millie Bobby Brown also paid a heartfelt tribute on social media. "I’m so devastated to hear this," Millie wrote. "You will be deeply missed Kaylee," she also added.

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Throughout her rising career, Kaylee was a passionate advocate for deaf representation in film and television. Her co-stars, including Hall and Alexander Skarsgård, even learned ASL to communicate with her on set.

In past interviews, Kaylee spoke openly about breaking barriers for the deaf community in cinema.

"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," Kaylee shared passionately. "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," she said.

In another moving quote, she encouraged others to chase their dreams without fear. "I'm acting in monster movies as a deaf person," she said. "I want deaf people to know that they can do that too, just like me. There are no limits."

As previously reported by KAMI, Lauren Bennett, best known for her vocals on LMFAO's 2011 hit "Party Rock Anthem," has died at the age of 36. Her former group, G.R.L., announced the heartbreaking news through an emotional Instagram statement honoring her life and legacy. Lauren's former bandmates remembered her as someone who brought love, laughter, and cherished memories, saying her kind spirit touched many lives.