Millie Bobby Brown Paid Tribute To Godzilla Vs. Kong Co-Star Kaylee Hottle
MonsterVerse star Kaylee Hottle has died following a single-vehicle accident in Ijamsville, Maryland. Her passing has drawn tributes from co-stars and the film studio.
The entertainment industry is mourning the loss of actress Kaylee Hottle, who died at 18 years old following a single-vehicle car accident. The collision occurred in Ijamsville, Maryland, on Tuesday. Authorities investigating the incident reported that the vehicle departed the roadway and entered a ditch at approximately 2:50 a.m. Local time. Investigators have indicated that excessive speed is believed to be a factor in the crash. While a 19-year-old driver was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and another passenger declined medical treatment, Hottle succumbed to her injuries. Her father, Joshua, confirmed the news.
Hottle, a senior at the Texas School for the Deaf, gained international recognition for her work in the MonsterVerse film franchise. She first rose to prominence in the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong, where she portrayed Jia, an orphan and the adoptive daughter of Dr. Ilene Andrews, played by Rebecca Hall. She subsequently reprised the role in the 2024 sequel, Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire. Her performance was noted for its use of American Sign Language to depict communication between the human characters and the creature Kong. Her work on the 2024 film led to a nomination for Best Younger Performer in a Film at the 2025 Saturn Awards.
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Millie Bobby Brown, who appeared alongside Hottle in Godzilla vs. Kong, shared a public tribute to her former co-star via Instagram Stories. Posting a black-and-white image of Hottle, Brown wrote:
"I'm so devastated to hear this. You will be deeply missed Kaylee."
Beyond her contributions to the MonsterVerse, Hottle’s career included an appearance in a 2021 episode of Magnum P.I. She began her acting career at age 9, appearing in a commercial for Convo, a video messaging service designed for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Raised in Atlanta, Hottle was part of a multi-generational Deaf family. Discussing her role in monster films, she noted:
"I'm acting in monster movies as a deaf person. I want deaf people to know that they can do that too, just like me. There are no limits."
Marlee Matlin, an Academy Award-winning actress and advocate for Deaf representation, also expressed her condolences, noting that she had met the teenager last year.
"I am absolutely gutted about the passing of sweet Kaylee Hottle. May her beauty and talent be a memory for eternity. Such a privilege to have met Kaylee last year. Please be kind to one another. Take the time to listen to your child. Say 🤟🏼 each time you part."
Legendary Entertainment, the studio responsible for the MonsterVerse films, issued an official statement addressing the actress's death:
"We are devastated by the tragic passing of Kaylee Hottle. Through her unforgettable portrayal of Jia, Kaylee brought extraordinary heart, humanity, and light to Godzilla, Kong, and the Monsterverse. She was a cherished member of our film family, and her kindness, warmth, and remarkable talent touched everyone fortunate enough to work alongside her."
The Texas School for the Deaf released a statement acknowledging the grief felt by the school community. The institution stated:
"Our hearts are with Kaylee's family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time."
The school also formally requested that the public respect the family’s privacy and “not speculate about the crash”.
