Kaylee Hottle: Godzilla vs Kong actor dies aged 18

Stranger Things actor Millie Bobby Brown has paid tribute to her Godzilla vs Kong costar Kaylee Hottle, who has died aged 18.The US actor – who appeared in the popular sci-fi film and its sequel, Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire – was killed in a car crash in Frederick, Maryland, it has been reported.Her death was confirmed by her father Joshua on Tuesday in a tearful livestream shared to Facebook, which was in American Sign Language (ASL) as the Hottle family are all deaf.Her mother, Ketsi, also shared a post in ASL which featured a selfie with her daughter as the cover photo, and wrote: “Privilege to be your mom, Kaylee Hottle.”READ MOREHottle was one of two passengers involved in a collision at 3am on Tuesday morning, while the driver was a 19-year-old man who was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries, The Associated Press (AP) reports.AP said the crash is under investigation, with Frederick County Sheriff’s Office saying “excessive speed” is believed to be a factor.Hottle made her feature film debut in Godzilla vs Kong alongside Brown, who played Madison Russell, the teenage daughter of quasi-governmental scientists.Brown has said she was “devastated” as she paid tribute to her costar, and shared a black and white image of Hottle to her Instagram story.Over the photo, the Emmy-nominated actor wrote: “I’m so devastated to hear this. You will be deeply missed Kaylee.”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 and fellow actor Shoshannah Stern 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.”Stern also paid tribute, sharing the news to her Instagram page and writing: “I am heartbroken. My deepest sympathies to the Hottle family.”Hottle attended Texas School For The Deaf (TSD) in Austin, where she was a senior, and the institution 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.”Hottle appeared in Godzilla vs Kong as Jia, an orphaned deaf girl who forms a bond with giant great ape Kong by communicating with him in ASL.She reprised her role in the 2024 sequel, landing a Saturn Award nomination for best performance by a younger actor.While promoting the hit sci-fi films, Hottle often spoke about the inclusion of deafness in the entertainment industry.Hottle 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. – PA