Kaylee Hottle, the deaf actress who starred in the Godzilla film franchise, has died following a road accident in Maryland, United States. She was 18.
According to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Hottle was a passenger in a car that veered off the road and crashed into a culvert in Ijamsville early Tuesday morning.
She was airlifted to a nearby trauma centre but later succumbed to her injuries. Authorities said investigations into the crash are ongoing, with excessive speed believed to have been a contributing factor.
Hottle rose to international fame after playing Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong in 2021. She reprised the role in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire in 2024, becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognised deaf actresses.
Born into a deaf family, Hottle was a fluent user of American Sign Language (ASL). Her performances earned praise for promoting authentic representation of the deaf community in mainstream films.
Before joining the Godzilla franchise, she appeared in television commercials and an episode of Magnum P.I. She was also expected to feature in the upcoming film What Doesn’t Kill Us.
Tributes have since poured in from across the entertainment industry.
Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin described Hottle as a gifted young talent, while fellow deaf actress Alaqua Cox said she was heartbroken by the news.
Actor Troy Kotsur also paid tribute, urging people to cherish every moment with their loved ones.
Hottle’s father confirmed her death in a video shared in American Sign Language, as fans and colleagues continued to mourn a young actress whose career had only just begun.