Kaylee Hottle, best known for playing Jia in both MonsterVerse films, Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, has died at the age of 18.
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office said Hottle was a passenger in a vehicle that left the road and struck a culvert in Ijamsville early Tuesday morning. Investigators believe excessive speed may have contributed to the crash.
Emergency crews airlifted Hottle to a trauma center, but she died before arriving. The 19-year-old driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while another passenger declined medical treatment.
Hottle made her acting debut in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong. She played Jia, a deaf orphan who forms a special bond with Kong through American Sign Language. The role introduced her to audiences around the world.
She returned as Jia in the 2024 sequel, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, where she once again earned praise for her performance. She also appeared in “Magnum P.I.” and became a strong voice for deaf representation in Hollywood.
News of Hottle’s death has prompted tributes from fans, fellow actors and members of the deaf community.
Although her career was just getting started, her performances left a lasting impression and inspired many young deaf performers.