‘Godzilla’ actress Kaylee Hottle, 18, dies in US car crash

Actress Kaylee Hottle, 18, who gained recognition for her roles in the "Godzilla" film franchise, died in a car accident in Maryland on July 21, 2026. Hottle was a passenger in a 1995 Honda Accord when the vehicle veered off a two-lane highway and struck a culvert. Excessive speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision, according to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.

Hottle, who was deaf, portrayed the character Jia in "Godzilla v Kong" and its sequel "Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire." She received a Saturn Award nomination in 2024 for Best Performance by a Younger Actor. Her father, Joshua Hottle, announced her death in a video shared on Facebook in American Sign Language.

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Excessive speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision.

The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle was a student, expressed that her passing was a "tremendous loss." The school extended condolences to her family, friends, and classmates. Authorities are investigating the crash, which also involved a 19-year-old male driver who sustained non-life-threatening injuries and another passenger who declined medical treatment.

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Our hearts are with Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time.