Teen actor Kaylee Hottle, known for ‘Godzilla vs. Kong,’ dead at 18

Actress Kaylee Hottle attends the world premiere of "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood on March 25, 2024. (Frederic J. BROWN / AFP via Getty Images)

Actor Kaylee Hottle, known for her role in the “Godzilla vs. Kong” franchise, was killed in a single-vehicle collision Tuesday in Maryland.

The 18-year-old Texas actor grew up in an all-deaf family, spanning four generations of deaf relatives on her father’s side. Her native fluency in American Sign Language was showcased in her debut film “Godzilla vs. Kong,” where she played a deaf girl who communicated with King Kong through sign language.

Frederick County Sheriff’s Office confirmed her death on Tuesday in a press release, saying they responded to the crash early at approximately 2:52 a.m. Tuesday after a vehicle operated by a 19-year-old Frederick, Md. man, struck a culvert with a driver and two passengers, including Hottle.

“The driver was transported to a local hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. One passenger declined medical treatment at the scene,” the county said.

Hottle, who was identified as the second passenger, was transported from the scene to a trauma center, where she was later pronounced deceased.

The actor’s family and friends have taken to social media to express their condolences and disbelief.

Hottle’s father shared a 22-minute video seemingly from an airport, captioned “I am taking a flight that I never would like to take” to Facebook, expressing his sadness through sign language.

In a tribute posted to Facebook, the Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle was a senior, said, “Our hearts are with Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time.”