# Deaf actress Kaylee Hottle from Godzilla vs. Kong dies aged 18

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/godzilla-vs-kong-actress-kaylee-hottle-dead-at-18/
- Published: 2026-07-21T20:33:05+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-22T02:47:47+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/godzilla-vs-kong-actress-kaylee-hottle-dead-18
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Deaf actress Kaylee Hottle, 18, died in a Maryland car crash.
- She played Jia in two "Godzilla vs. Kong" films.
- Her father confirmed details via an emotional livestream.

## Summary

Kaylee Hottle, the 18-year-old deaf actress best known for playing Jia in "Godzilla vs. Kong" and its sequel "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," has died following a car crash. Fox News Digital confirmed her death, which occurred on a Tuesday morning, cutting short the career of a young performer praised for bringing authenticity to a deaf character in the blockbuster Monsterverse franchise.

According to TMZ, Hottle's father disclosed details of the crash during a livestream lasting nearly 23 minutes, explaining in American Sign Language that the accident took place in Maryland. He said he had flown from Texas to Maryland to claim his daughter's body. Hottle, who was deaf herself, drew widespread attention for her performances opposite the Monsterverse's giant creatures across the two major films, marking a poignant end to a brief but notable acting career.

## Coverage

- [Fox News: Deaf actress Kaylee Hottle from Godzilla vs. Kong dies aged 18](https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/godzilla-vs-kong-actress-kaylee-hottle-dead-18)
- [The Hollywood Reporter: Kaylee Hottle, ‘Godzilla Vs. Kong’ Actress, Dies at 18](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kaylee-hottle-dead-godzilla-vs-kong-actress-car-crash-1236653119/)
- [Deadline: Kaylee Hottle Dies: ‘Godzilla Vs. Kong’ & “Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire’ Star Was 18](https://deadline.com/2026/07/kaylee-hottle-dead-1236999383/)
- [BBC Entertainment: Godzilla vs Kong actress Kaylee Hottle dies in crash at 18](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62v7e2dw12o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.