Kaylee Hottle, actress from Godzilla vs. Kong, dies at 18

moviesJul 21, 2026451,597

Actress Kaylee Hottle, who played the deaf character Jia in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong and 2024’s Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, died in a car accident Tuesday morning in Frederick, Maryland, her father Joshua Hottle confirmed. Hottle, a member of a multi-generational deaf family and a senior at the Texas School for the Deaf, communicated with fans and colleagues in American Sign Language; her father shared the news in ASL during a 23-minute livestream. Hottle’s performance as Jia, a Skull Island native who bonds with Kong, drew praise from co-star Alexander Skarsgård, who said she displayed exceptional poise and professionalism on set, and she received a 2025 Saturn Award nomination for Best Younger Performer in a Film for Godzilla X Kong. She was also credited in a 2021 episode of CBS’s Magnum P.I. and had appeared in commercials for the deaf community. The Texas School for the Deaf released a statement expressing profound sadness and condolence to Hottle’s family, classmates, and friends. Some outlets report Hottle was 18 while her IMDb listing gives a May 1, 2007 birthdate that would make her 19; news reports cite the age as 18.

Bloody Disgusting

@bloody-disgusting.com

We are deeply sad to learn that Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong actress Kaylee Hottle has passed away after a tragic car accident in Maryland. She was just 18 years old. Hottle played Jia in the MonsterVerse.

67445d ago

Dr. Darrell C.17

No fucking way. It's always so sad when a young person dies. 😿😿😿

Zilladevil4

No parent should have to bury a child. How awful

Lizziefly4

Respect the poor girl by getting her age right. She was 19, not 18.

deltaprime350.bsky.social3

My condolences to her friends and family.

Retropixel1272

First Sam Neill and now this?!

Liek is Holly Jolly 🍉1

May she rest in peace :(

Quoting this

Brandon Santiago227

Damn. I don’t know what to say. This just sucks. Major condolences to her family.

Combos & Doodles127

this is heartbreaking so young.

Ant121

This is truly a really sad thing to read. She was excellent in her role. Clearly putting her all in these movies.

🩸💀 The Horror Guru 💀🩸23

Way too young. Rest in peace. 😭

Lizzy Rose Oliver - Voice Actress21

I legit don't know what to say. Absolutely heartbreaking. Deepest condolences to her family.

The-Autistic-Artist 🥥 🍀 🏳️‍🌈 Doomsday and Coyote vs. Acme Era20

Man, this is such a terrible loss. And at such a young age, too... My condolences to Kaylee's family. ❤️

Ashlee 🤟🏻12

Heartbreaking loss in the Deaf community 💔

Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦6

Very sad to see this.

The Legacy Of M6

It is sad when someone dies so young...rest in peace Kaylee.

Jordan Starkweather✨5

Taken way, way too soon. She was the heart and soul of those movies. I loved her so much in the second one especially. Just devastating. Rest in peace Kaylee.

IGN

@ign.com

Kaylee Hottle, who played Jia in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong and the 2024 sequel, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, has died in a car accident aged 18. https://bit.ly/4vENHeg

15045d ago

Philip A Rooney II1

Fucking hell, that's way too young. Godspeed Kaylee.

bloppyyxd2501

dang poor girl die too young 😢

Quoting this

NyyxVeil 🏳️‍🌈11

RIP to an incredible actress 💔

We Geek Girls10

So sad. RIP Kaylee. 😢💔

demotivational speaker. 🎂

@heysita.bsky.social

RIP to Kaylee Hottle, who played Jia in newer Kong franchise. Her heart stopped on the way to the hospital after being in a car crash somewhere in Maryland. Her father made a brief statement and said he traveled from Texas to claim her body. May the sweet girl rest.

7445d ago

Quoting this

Ry-Fi (fighting the urge to crash out)2

Words can’t convey how much my heart’s aching rn

Daily Godzilla! 🏳️‍⚧️

@perfectgodzilla.bsky.social

Kaylee Hottle as Jia Andrews in Godzilla x Kong (2024). Rest in Peace.

8445d ago

Anime News Network

@animenewsnetwork.com

RIP actress Kaylee Hottle, who played deaf character Jia in the Godzilla vs. Kong films

5645d ago

Quoting this

Dan Larson67

Absolutely tragic. 18 years old is too young to die of anything.

Mark Allen Jr.39

Damn. This is so heartbreaking. One of the best pieces of the new Kong films was Kaylee's character. She seemed to have such a promising career ahead of her, and was truly making huge strides for the Deaf community as well. Rest in Peace, Kaylee.

M. O’Lybdenum9

Tragic. Car accident in Maryland.

James Beckett9

God, what an awful tragedy.

VGAfanatic8

Dude...that fuckin' sucks. 18 is WAY too young for anyone to die. She had her whole life ahead of her. Rest in peace, sweet child.

Kevin Church4

She was a real highlight of those movies. Very sad to hear about her passing at just 18.

Simeon Scott2

Man, I don't even know what to say expect this is horrible.

Jack2

Car collision. What a nightmare.

Pop Crave

@popcrave.com

Kaylee Hottle has passed away in a car accident aged 18. She was best known for playing Jia in two ‘Godzilla’ films.

8445d ago

Mr. Goji 🤙🏻

@mrgoji1954.bsky.social

Actress Kaylee Hottle, better known as Jia from the two recent MonsterVerse films has tragically passed away at the age of 18 after a fatal car crash. My heart breaks once again. May you Rest In Peace, Kaylee. Thank you for your time & inspiring many people in the deaf community. You will be missed.

5645d ago

Quoting this

the white L.A. Beast3

Oh my fucking god no

Slime Sommelier2

What a terrible, terrible loss

Dexerto

@dexerto.bsky.social

Deaf actress Kaylee Hottle has died at 19 following a car crash in Maryland She played Jia in the Godzilla franchise and helped bring deaf representation to the big screen

5345d ago

Empire Magazine

@empiremagazine.bsky.social

Kaylee Hottle, star of Godzilla Vs. Kong and The New Empire, has sadly died at the age of 18. A trailblazer within the deaf community, Hottle will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with her friends and family at this difficult time. Read our tribute: www.empireonline.com/movies...

3845d ago

Quoting this

Jordan King2

This loss has really shocked me. The MonsterVerse films aren’t best known for their heart and humanity, but Kaylee Hottle gave them both in abundance as ‘Kong whisperer’ Jia Andrews. 18 is no age to die. She will be sorely missed.

The Washington Post

@washingtonpost.com

Kaylee Hottle, the 18-year-old actress who starred in 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong” and its 2024 sequel, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” was killed Tuesday morning in a car crash in Maryland, authorities said.

3845d ago

Jaxson Elliott1

This is sad. Some real talent there gone far too soon.

Computer Controlled1

The amount of death and suffering we tolerate from automobiles is astounding.

Hotep Kevin Nash

@homunculusdick.bsky.social

Aw man. I was just rewatching Godzilla vs Kong at my friends place not long ago and remarked on how good she was in it

2045d ago

Quoting this

Lost Under the Couch Barbie.5

She was very good in it. She was a wonderful addition. 18 is a depressingly young age to die.

Eric Alper

@thatericalper.com

Kaylee Hottle, who brought Jia to life in 2 Godzilla films and helped bring authentic Deaf representation to a major franchise, has died at 18. Her father shared the news himself, in the language she taught so many people to notice. zurl.co/YuAS8

1445d ago

Fllics

@fllicsofficial.bsky.social

Tragic news out of the US: Actress Kaylee Hottle (Godzilla vs. Kong) has passed away at 18 after a fatal car accident. Taken way too soon. 💔 RIP Kaylee Hottle. 🕊️

2845d ago

Guardian US

@us.theguardian.com

The deaf actor, who played a major role in Godzilla v Kong and its 2024 sequel, was killed in a car accident in Maryland

1745d ago

🦖Gavin Hayes (DinoFang127)🦖

@dinofang127.bsky.social

I made a memorial for Kaylee Hottle, who we lost too soon. It's doesn't seem like much, but it's better than nothing. I just can't believe we lost another great person in a span of one month. First Sam Neill and now her. This just sucks... Rest in Peace, Kaylee Hottle ✝️🕯🙏

1345d ago

3 sources

tmz.com'Godzilla vs. Kong' Star Kaylee Hottle Dead at 18 bloody-disgusting.com‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ and ‘Godzilla x Kong’ Actress Kaylee Hottle Has Passed Away at 18 Years Old forbes.comKaylee Hottle, ‘Godzilla Vs. Kong’ Actress, Dies At 18

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Kaylee Hottle, actress from Godzilla vs. Kong, dies at 18

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