US actress Kaylee Hottle, best known for starring in Godzilla Vs Kong, has died aged 19, her father has announced.
Car crash in Maryland
Hottle – who appeared in the popular sci-fi film and its sequel, Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire – was killed in a car crash in Frederick, Maryland, it has been reported. Her death was confirmed by her father Joshua in a tearful livestream shared to Facebook on Tuesday.
The video was in American Sign Language (ASL) as the Hottle family is all-deaf, and was captioned: “I am taking a flight that I never would like to take.”
Tribute from Texas School For The Deaf
The actress attended Texas School For The Deaf (TSD) in Austin, where she was a senior, and the institution has paid tribute to her after the “heartbreaking” news of her death. The school shared a photo of her and wrote: “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.” It added: “Please keep Kaylee’s loved ones in your thoughts as we mourn this tremendous loss together.”
Film career and advocacy
Hottle made her feature film debut in Godzilla Vs Kong alongside stars such as Alexander Skarsgard and Millie Bobby Brown. Her character, Jia, was an orphaned deaf girl who formed a unique bond with giant great ape Kong by communicating with him in ASL. Hottle reprised her role in the 2024 sequel, with her performance landing her a Saturn Award nomination for best performance by a younger actor.
While promoting the hit sci-fi films, the actress often spoke about the inclusion of deafness in the entertainment industry. Hottle also appeared in several advertisements across her career, including one promoting support for the deaf community in their pursuit of equal rights.
