Kaylee Hottle is dead. The actress, who became known as a young girl alongside the movie monsters Godzilla and Kong, died in a car accident on Tuesday. She was only 18 years old. Her father confirmed the death in a video on Facebook in American Sign Language, as the Hollywood Reporter reports.

Millie Bobby Brown finds moving words

Among the first to publicly say goodbye was Millie Bobby Brown (22). The actress herself stood in front of the camera for the monster universe in 2019 in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and in 2021 in Godzilla vs. Kong. In her Instagram story, she shared a photo of Hottle from their film together.

Brown wrote that she was deeply shaken by the news. Kaylee would be sorely missed. Both had stood in front of the camera together in 2021 for Godzilla vs. Kong. Brown was already part of the ensemble at the time, while Hottle stood in front of the camera for a theatrical film for the first time as a child.

Rebecca Hall (44) also spoke out. The actress played scientist Dr. Ilene Andrews in the 2024 release Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, whose close relationship with Hottle's character carried the plot. On Instagram, Hall published several photos of the two and wrote that the news left her speechless. Her thoughts were with Hottle's family.

Also on Instagram, Eiza González spoke out, who played alongside Hottle in 2021 in Godzilla vs. Kong. Her heart was broken, she wrote, she was devastated. She had loved the young colleague dearly and sent the family much strength. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire actor Dan Stevens (43) shared in his Instagram story a memorial photo of the young colleague. He simply added a broken heart.

Production studio Legendary Pictures also reacted. In a statement on platform X, they said they were shocked by the tragic death. With her role as Jia, Hottle had brought extraordinary warmth and humanity to the world of Godzilla and Kong. She had been a cherished member of the film family whose kindness had touched everyone who had the privilege of working with her.

From child star to franchise mainstay

Hottle made her screen debut in 2021 with Godzilla vs. Kong. The deaf actress portrayed Jia, an orphaned girl from the indigenous Iwi who is rescued by Kong on Skull Island.

Three years later, Hottle returned for the sequel Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. There, the relationship between Jia and the linguist played by Rebecca Hall moved to the center of the story. For many fans, Hottle thus became a familiar face of the series.

Mourning also in the deaf community

In the deaf community, the death caused dismay. Deaf actress Marlee Matlin wrote on Instagram that the loss of the young colleague hit her hard. May her beauty and talent be remembered forever.

The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle was most recently part of the graduating class, shared on Instagram that the student had died the day before in a car accident in Frederick County in the U.S. state of Maryland. The school asked to respect the family's privacy and announced counseling services for fellow students.