Kaylee Hottle, the deaf actress who brought Jia to life in the Godzilla vs. Kong franchise, died Tuesday morning in a car accident in Maryland. She was 18. Her father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed the tragedy.

Hottle earned recognition for her roles in both Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024), playing the deaf character Jia in both films. Her performance in the sequel earned her a nomination for Best Younger Performer in a Film, along with a Saturn Award nomination for Best Performance by a Younger Actor.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Hottle began her entertainment career in commercials before landing her breakthrough role in the Godzilla franchise. She attended the Texas School for the Deaf, which also acknowledged her passing on social media.

Hottle's casting as Jia marked significant representation in major blockbuster cinema, with her character playing a central role in both films' stories. Her work in the franchise demonstrated her range as a performer and opened doors for deaf actors in big-budget productions.

The entertainment industry has mourned her loss, with colleagues and fans remembering her contributions to film.