‘Godzilla vs Kong’ Star Kaylee Hottle dies at 18 in tragic car crash
American actress Kaylee Hottle, known for her role in the Godzilla vs Kong film franchise, has died in a car accident at the age of 18.
Hottle, who was deaf, gained recognition for playing Jia, a young orphan, in the 2021 film Godzilla vs Kong and returned for the 2024 sequel Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Her father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed her death in a video message shared on Facebook, using American Sign Language to communicate the news.
Authorities in Frederick, Maryland, said the fatal single-vehicle crash occurred early Tuesday morning and that excessive speed was suspected to have contributed to the accident.
The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle was a student, expressed deep sorrow over her passing and offered condolences to her family, friends and classmates. The school also urged the public to respect the family’s privacy and avoid speculation about the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Warner Bros., the studio behind the Godzilla films, also paid tribute to the young actress, sharing a message of remembrance alongside a photo of Hottle.
According to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, emergency responders were called to the crash site in Ijamsville around 2:50 a.m. A 19-year-old driver was taken to hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, while another passenger declined medical assistance.
Hottle starred alongside major Hollywood actors including Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall and Dan Stevens in the Godzilla films.
Her performance in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire earned her a nomination for Best Younger Performer at the Saturn Awards.
Source: BBC
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