Actress Kaylee Hottle, known for "Godzilla" films, dies in Maryland car crash at 18
Kaylee Hottle, an 18-year-old actress known for her roles in the "Godzilla" films, died in a car accident in Maryland on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Hottle, who was deaf, played the role of Jia in "Godzilla vs. Kong" and its sequel "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire."
The accident occurred around 2:52 am on a two-lane highway in Frederick County, Maryland. According to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, Hottle was a passenger in a 1995 Honda Accord driven by a 19-year-old man. The car veered off the road and struck a culvert. Excessive speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision.
Hottle was transported to a hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The driver sustained injuries not believed to be life-threatening, while another passenger declined medical treatment.
Hottle's father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed her death in a tearful video posted to Facebook. "I'm about to take a flight I never wanted to take," he said in American Sign Language (ASL). The video was captioned with the same message.
The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle was a student, expressed their condolences in a statement. "Our hearts are with Kaylee's family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time," the school said.
Hottle, who grew up using ASL, began her acting career as a child, appearing in commercials. She made her film debut in 2021 with "Godzilla vs. Kong," playing the deaf adoptive daughter of Dr. Ilene Andrews, portrayed by Rebecca Hall. She reprised her role in the 2024 sequel "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire."
Hottle was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor in 2024 for her role in the "Godzilla" films.
The police investigation into the accident is ongoing.
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