Kaylee Hottle, a deaf actor best known for her starring role in two Godzilla films, has died in a car crash aged 18.
The American performer was one of two passengers in the car when it went off the road and hit a culvert in Ijamsville, Maryland shortly before 3am, police said.
The driver, aged 19, was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the other passenger declined medical treatment, according to a statement by Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.
Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash, which is under investigation, the statement added.
Hottle, who appeared in Godzilla Vs. Kong and its sequel Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, was a native signer of American Sign Language, and her family members are also deaf.
“Privilege to be your mom, Kaylee Hottle,” the actor’s mother Ketsi Hottle wrote on social media, while her father Joshua posted: “I am taking a flight I would never like to take.”
In the two Godzilla movies she starred in, Hottle played an orphaned girl named Jia who sees beyond Kong’s threatening appearance and forms a special bond with the monster, communicating with him using sign language.
“I’m so devastated to hear this. You will be deeply missed Kaylee,” her “Godzilla” co-star Millie Bobby Brown, posted on Instagram, sharing a black and white image of Hottle on the app.
Marlee Matlin, who was the first deaf actress to win an Oscar for her role in Children Of A Lesser God, shared a photo to X of herself alongside Hottle.
She wrote: “I am absolutely gutted about the passing of sweet Kaylee Hottle. May her beauty and talent be a memory for eternity.”
Hottle attended Texas School For The Deaf (TSD) in Austin, where she was a senior, and the institution has paid tribute to her after the “heartbreaking” news of her death.
The school shared a photo of her and wrote: “It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that one of our TSD seniors, Kaylee Hottle, tragically passed away yesterday in a car accident in Frederick, Maryland.
“Our hearts are with Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time.”
It added: “Please keep Kaylee’s loved ones in your thoughts as we mourn this tremendous loss together.”
Following her appearance in Godzilla X Kong, Hottle received a Saturn Award nomination for best performance by a younger actor.
While promoting the hit sci-fi films, the actress often spoke about the inclusion of deafness in the entertainment industry.
Hottle has also appeared in a 2021 episode of Magnum PI, as well as several advertisements – including one promoting support for the deaf community in their pursuit of equal rights.
She was also listed as appearing in the upcoming film “What Doesn’t Kill Us”.
In a post on Instagram, Alaqua Cox, her co-star in that film and fellow deaf actor, said: “I’m so heartbroken. My heart goes out to her family during this unimaginable time.”
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