Godzilla vs Kong actress Kaylee Hottle dies in crash at 18
Kaylee Hottle, the 18-year-old deaf actress known for her role in the Godzilla vs Kong film series, has died following a car accident in Maryland. Authorities are investigating the crash, which they believe was caused by excessive speed.
Why it matters
The death of a rising young star who served as a prominent representative for the deaf community has drawn significant public and industry attention.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Her school has said she died in a car accident in Maryland in the US
US actress Kaylee Hottle, who starred in the Godzilla vs Kong movie series, has died in a car crash at age 18.
Hottle, who was deaf, portrayed a young orphan named Jia in the 2021 blockbuster, and reprised the role in 2024 sequel Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Her father, Joshua Hottle, posted a video statement via Facebook, using American Sign Language to confirm details of her death.
Police officers in Frederick, Maryland, said "excessive speed" was believed to be a factor in the single-vehicle crash on Tuesday morning.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Hottle appeared in the Godzilla films alongside Rebecca Hall, Dan Stevens and other Hollywood stars
The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle had studied, also shared the news with "profound sadness".
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in